

























& 



■pr* - 

' t- ' 'J * 

\V A 0 V 

V 1» T * C> 0^ S S * • A ^ y , 0 

•'-*Va. ^ A* ♦YSflSV. •*> /■'^-•- *• 



• A s 

* N.” * 

• < 2 ^ O * 

^ "•.• 0 O * 

> * • O, - 








• /- %y$$' a ^ 

qV 0 o * O , t » a ^ 

V * c J^\Vv^' r o .l"fr . * 


C\ a? , 

o v/v a J _ 

. .—.. & *» ° 

c 5 ^r, 

■* ^ . 

* '-‘‘V* ;<b -... 

^ aO V o 0 " 0 * o 4 ^ , t » a 

0 ^jsSSw*.. o .* 1 /r^z- -r ^ 


- - or ♦Wfe> c x 

, . _, *. v* :£jmgX. ^ 0 * ' 

^ °^ »°\ -SmV «5 o a : 

yjr o *, <-tysir <&♦ ^ *^^viwvv^ * k> * 

A> O 6 - | ^ A 1 ' ^ • /I ► 

V* ... V "’ 0 *° ...,%.••■•• <** *.-•• A° 

V ^ V r t# °A <> v <V 




° 0 ^*^. ® 
4 V ^ *> 




«o ^7^*v , 

^ • * 5 a% 


'V -& ° 


Vi* .WfeC •> 

: •’b v* ' ’ 



, t ’ e '<£ 

A *'iprffT/s?^ ^ v * 

■■■in . 

P * * °A <V <•., \> 4> 

tx :maM° '**? -^ SWfe - . 

v^_ iw^m; X* 

. .., .♦ <y ^ o<£ ^ 

A ° • * aG ^O ♦a * ^5 A J. •A^^a 4 sU 

-& aV n N o *p a\ V ° • * .G” vS> 

-£ ,0 C ° c _° ♦ *0 A G ,l'a <^> n H n *P 

Va . C O ^ ^ ftV - #M - P - 


^oV* . 

> ^° ^ ‘» 

^ 




• .^ //i)<r , 

O < 

, .o, "*' 1# 

.4 Y//A ^ v ^- - rv -H w* ** '• 

* %. °o W%W : #* \ • ^ ' ' 

/O* .•*•.. "*o ..... *<>. 




aV-^v „ 1 

•v °, 




n 


_ <x.y o . w , 

^ * o * O 0 V *"/■>• ^0 

V cv <) v * 5 V/* *> 

^ A ♦WWVo ^ & a, /_ 

; V4* « J 


> 


* A 
■*r\ 




* ^/^'s]^\Ld' * a^> »^*. i// ^ ,aT> v/> • 

*V *'••** ^ *•• ** a°^ *^!T* a 

^ 0 0 * ° * ^o A A . V I * <J> n V o " o * A% 

• ^Vv ^ O <A * >7^-, * G U * < U^v ' °0 

*>nu/^2- , -a ' «Rv\\M\^-* 

v* cr 0 

V *•■•• A * ... %- ’"' J* * 



tt «^* ( ^ *« 





m V?> <'■&■ *> 


*0 V 


,0^ 


:< 


^ * * 1 * A 0 

c\ iP **^L% V • ’ • •- "c* .O” % S ’^L% V 

% jr ' j§fe'- % ^ 4Vv V a* ♦*■ “ 

& 9> ° ; V - .^j'xA' vZv/ ° ^ v o 

<v ,0 s *b V*?,* a <* -•.*• ,0 

*. * l J^ -* C 0 V <>J^ * ^ ^o t . ••' * * 0^ 

\. ^ A C " 




o V 
^°’ 7 V :j _ 

> '‘“To’’ ^ "o '»^7->• v ^0° +,> * 

> v % «. ’ • °* c\ aO ^ s * ’ ' 

% > 4Va« ^ / *‘ 


a* 'V 

.c^ %'‘Wa' v ^ *'?.?•■* A o^' ■* * 

' °!^L a * ^° ■& k*'‘ ' * * ^ r 0 ^ <‘°J*1'’ 

* T- ^r^ . ^ »0 «J ^ -r « G ♦ cA^N\ ^ ^ 1 

^ o * £’\1[//y5 t -> -» /• •, >^nn\\V^ j ‘ \N « 




■^r\ ^ 

^<i s 


^ v % i^y.* / % : -li^*“ \ 

A <^ ‘■'• • * * ^ *6* \ " 5 4 ’*? ^ ''o B .? * ‘ .0 

l • t> ^ <S> 0 V c o " ° A, aV * 1 ' " ^ Q ' 



.. Wjgwv 

<b 'o.A- 0^ o A 

'Aa t ^*_ 


































TAIMYR 


WRANGELL I 


niGoi? >. 


ARCTIC 0 IRC 


Obdorak 


ST.'a. 

LAWRENCE 


'L. Baikal 


Irkutsk 


iHALIEN 


B.Balkash 
| of 
Aral 


MANCHURIA 

Tli dlrostok c_, 


(JAPAN 

^jyToklo 

Yokohama 


Canton 


leu tin 


SB. of ) 

' Bengal 
Madras .* . 

ANDAMAN 18. 
) NICOBAR 18. 


_/C Bombay f 
Arc bian Sea ' 
Ooa 


CEYLON 


born SO, 


COUATOS 


INCA 


NEW. 


Sydney 


Melbo>. i 


\/3 


■ s*& 


-— —-- — — - 

- ' t».ww r» .w . m —»’• ■ ’ JRAgf,"?! 1 J.ff'S'J'iWJ? 

-* ■ - ■>. ' _ 

— fi !wrrnf *£**&'■ ■■ i ^NII llll'H"! 




r. 




o 


sr. 


U ti 

) ^n> FRAN2JQSE: 

ou H-y r* 3?‘ 


»«! 


« |> s >* 


too 


NEW SIBERIA 

e. 


• *i' •.* 


Pi. Barr ov 


y - yf ffo 

Sea of Bering Sea-. 

Okhotsk I ¥ C ** 

^ \z r 




/ TRORtC OF CANCER 

_ MARIAN Ng OR 

1am* iUr H ;^ ,NE 

_ ‘Odonlloe , 


ic -/n 

Laorone is. 


-Snrfft Vx, , ^ r-v 

r ,,,- w'anlla/- c UAM O T> 

a« ^ %$ ,3 LAHD ®-.^ounI*. 

rv (>7/MINDANAO '• 


WAK E 1. 


nnivB i• 

A ~ C 

•• MARSHALL 18 


LBERT IS.*.. 


- ■* ^- 

Honolulu ^HAWAIIAN I 

■ 

I F 


taoAtOR i HaNW IS. 

ELLICE IS.- 


ELLICE 13.', l 

I MARQUESAS IS. 

ibLOMON IS.* • 

O 8AMOA IS(. 

_ .. .A.*... 


^ SOLOMON IS.’ • 

q^QAMCA 13. 

o. tiitiiii a*i"~ MANUA IS. . •M 1 ,AUI 

NEW HEE RIDES T JT.UIL&J. „• 

. riJI IS.* • .• SOCIETY IS. • 1 LC 

r--^- -1- 

\ NEW CALEDONIA FRIENDLY IS. COOK 


TBOPIC Of CAi RtCORN 


o cr~i 


rertli 


]yLAJP 03?" THE 

WORLD 

SHOWING 

UNITED STATES 

AND ITS POSSESSIONS 


i i. UniteS. States Possessions in Bed 


TA8I 


M m 


lA^} 


ZEALAND, 
801 TX 

8Te|vakt S. 

« 


, - Scale of WU* on the Equator 

t 


1000 


2000 £000 

I 


t 009 ; 




NEW 


uckiand 
NORTH I. 
ellin^ton 


120 Loasjtude HO E&at from 160 Greenwich 180 


























































































































































































































































George Washington 

From the painting by Rothermel 







AMERICAN HISTORY 


FOR 

GRAMMAR GRADES 


BY 

EVERETT BARNES, A.M 0 

‘i 


GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES 



D. C. HEATH & CO., PUBLISHERS 
BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO 





COPYRIGHT, 1913, 1920 AND 1923 
BY D. C. HEATH & CO. 

2 B 3 


. ■ 


PRINTED IN U. S. A. 

APR -9 ’23 

©C1A70400? 


PREFACE 


Interesting narrative — instead of condensation of un¬ 
important facts and dates — is the best method of presenting 
the subject of history to children in grammar grades. It 
has been the author’s aim in developing the essential facts of 
American history to awaken the interest and hold the at¬ 
tention of the pupils. In simplicity of vocabulary and style 
of narration, it is believed that this text will prove to be 
adapted to the requirements of class-room use. 

As the interest of the child centers mainly in the men 
and women who have become great historical characters, 
the personal element has not been slighted. An important 
and valuable feature in method of treatment may be found 
in the correlation of American with concurrent European 
history. 

In the arrangement of subject matter, the relative his¬ 
torical importance of topics has been observed. The elabo¬ 
rate table of contents, and the summaries and questions 
at the end of each chapter will be found helpful to both 
teacher and pupil. It has been the constant purpose to 
inspire the children, who are to become future citizens, 
with love for their country and its institutions and with 
respect and veneration for its great patriots, soldiers, and 
statesmen. 





CONTENTS 


CHAPTER I 

Early Portuguese and Spanish Discoveries and Explorations 


section page 


1. Early Mediterranean Trade 

Routes. i 

2. The Great Question. i 

3. Portugal the First Nation to try 

to find a New Route. 2 

4. Columbus . 3 

5. The Earth is Round . 4 

6. Columbus forms a Plan . 4 

7. Columbus leaves Portugal and 

goes to Spain . 6 

8. Columbus decides to leave Spain 6 

9. Columbus is called back. Suc¬ 

cess . 6 

10. First Voyage. 7 

11. Land sighted. 9 

12. Cuba and Hispaniola. 10 

13. First Settlement in the New World 10 

14. Return to Spain. 10 

15. Other Voyages of Columbus ... 12 

16. Second Voyage . 12 

17. Second Settlement . 13 

18. First Battle between White Men 

and Indians. 13 

19. Third Voyage. 14 

20. Columbus finds the Continent . . 14 

21. Portuguese reach India by Sea .. 16 

22. Fourth Voyage . 16 

23. Hunting for a Way to India ... 17 

24. Castaways on Jamaica . 17 

25. Death of Isabella and Columbus 18 

26. Americus Vespucius,. 18 


SECTION PAGE 

27. Ponce de Leon . 20 

28. “The Fountain of Youth.” 

Florida. 20 

29. Balboa. 21 

30. Balboa discovers the Pacific 22 

31. Cortes; Exploration and Con¬ 

quest of Mexico . 23 

32. Troops of Cortes . 23 

33. The City of Mexico. 24 

34. Montezuma. 26 

35. Cortes leaves the City. 26 

36. Capture of the City. 26 

37. Ferdinand Magellan, 1519-1522 27 

38. Magellan starts. 27 

39. Straits of Magellan . 27 

40. On the Pacific Ocean. 28 

41. Death of Magellan. 29 

42. Into the Atlantic Ocean again .. 29 

43. What the Voyage proved . 30 

44. Pizarro. 30 

45. Pizarro tries to find Peru . 30 

46. He finds Peru . 30 

47. The Incas . 31 

48. Vasquez de Ay lion. 31 

49. Narvaez. 32 

50. He visits Florida . 33 

51. All except Four perish . 34 

52. The Expedition of Coronado ... 35 

53. Fernando de Soto. 33 

54. He discovers the Mississippi 

River . 36 













































VI 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER II 


The Voyages and Discoveries of the English, French, and Dutch 


SECTION PAGE 

SECTION PAGE 

55 - 

John and Sebastian Cabot. 

39 

64. 

French Voyages of Discovery to 


56. 

Sir Francis Drake . 

.40 


the New World; John Verra- 


57 - 

Drake visits the Pacific Coast of 



zano . 

46 


America. 

4 i 

65. Jacques Cartier . 

46 

58 . 

He starts across the Pacific. 

43 

66. 

The Huguenots. 

48 

59 - 

England becomes the Leading 


67. 

Samuel Champlain; New France 

49 


Power. 

42 

68. 

Champlain attacks the Iroquois 


60. 

Sir Walter Raleigh; Roanoke 



Indians. 

50 


Island. 

42 

69. The Dutch in the New World; 


61. 

First Attempt to found an Eng- 



Henry Hudson . 

52 


lish Settlement in America ... 

43 

70. 

Hudson employed by Holland 

52 

62. 

Second Attempt. 

44 

7 i- 

Dutch Claims. 

53 

63 - 

Raleigh in Prison. 

45 





CHAPTER III 

Early Inhabitants of America 


72. The Mound Builders. 57 

73. The Pueblo Indians. 58 

74. The Cliff Dwellers. 58 

75. The Aztecs . 59 

76. The Indians of North America .. 60 

77. Mode of Living . 61 

78. Government . 62 


79. Language . 62 

80. Religious Belief . 63 

81. Indian Warfare . 64 

82. Industries . 64 

83. Tribes. 65 


84. Present Indian Reservations ... 66 


CHAPTER IV 

How the Spanish and the French Peopled America 


85. The First Settlers were Spanish . 69 

86. Broad Claims of Spain . 69 

87. Spain’s Claims Disputed. 69 

88. What France claimed at first ... 70 

89. Why France did not people the 

Country sooner. 70 

90. The Fur Business. 72 

91. The French made Friends of the 

Indians. 72 

92. Algonquins and Iroquois. 73 

93. Nicolet. 74 

94. Marquette and Joliet . 74 


95. La Salle. 

96. The First and Only Voyage of 


the Griffin . 76 

97. Fort Crevecceur . 77 

98. La Salle reaches the Mouth of 

the Mississippi River. 78 

99. Death of La Salle. 78 

100. King William’s War. 79 

101. The French on the Gulf of Mex¬ 

ico . 80 

X02. The French Chain of Forts ... 81 

103. Queen Anne’s War. 82 











































CONTENTS 


Vll 


CHAPTER V 

How the English Peopled America 


SECTION PAGE 

104. Jamestown . 84 

105. Sickness and Death. 85 

106. Smith has an Adventure ...... 85 

107. More Settlers come to James¬ 

town . 87 

108. The Starving Time . 88 

109. Governor Dale . 88 

no. Tobacco. 89 

in. Argali kidnaps Pocahontas .... 89 

112. Marriage of Pocahontas . 90 

113. Better Times. 90 

114. Government by the People ... 90 

115. Prosperity . 91 


SECTION PAGE 

116. Slavery. 92 

117. The London Company loses its 

Charter . 92 

118. Royal Governors . 92 

119. Death of King Charles I. 94 

120. The Coming of the Cavaliers ... 94 

121. The Puritans leave Virginia ... 94 

122. The Time of the Common¬ 

wealth in England. 95 

123. Charles II . 96 

124. Trouble with the Indians. 96 

125. Bacon’s Rebellion . 97 

126. Country and Climate . 98 


CHAPTER VI 


New York and 

New Jersey 


127. The Hudson River. The Com- 


134. The Patroons . 

105 

ing of the Dutch . 

IOI 

135. War with Indians. 

106 

128. A Dutch Settlement . 

IOI 

136. Free Religion . 

107 

129. Dutch Treaty with the Iroquois 

102 

137. New Netherland takes New 


130. Importance of the Hudson River 

102 

Sweden. 

109 

131. Long Island Sound and Con- 


138. England takes New Netherland 

109 

necticut River. 

103 

139. New York. 

no 

132. The Dutch West India Com- 


140. Jacob Leisler. 

112 

pany. 

103 

141. John Peter Zenger and the 


133. Peter Minuit buys Manhattan 


Freedom of the Press . 

112 

Island. 

104 

142. New Jersey. 

114 

CHAPTER VII 


The New England Colonies 


143. Cape Cod. The Kennebec River 


149. The Pilgrims work and prosper 

122 

Settlement. 

116 

150. Puritans settle Salem; Mas- 


144. Smith explores the New Eng- 


sachusetts Bay Company ... 

122 

land Coast. 

116 

151. Boston. 

124 

145. The Puritans ... 

117 

152. The General Court . 

124 

146. The Separatists . 

118 

153. Business. 

125 

147. The Pilgrims go to America 

119 

154. Connecticut. 

125 

148. Treaty with the Indians. 

121 

155. Roger Williams; Rhode Island 

126 











































CONTENTS 


• • • 

vm 


SECTION PAGE 

156. Slave Ships . 128 

157. Maine and New Hampshire ... 128 

158. Education in New England ... 128 

159. The Pequot War . 129 

160. The New England Confedera¬ 

tion; Population. 131 

161. The Navigation Laws. 131 


SECTION PAGE 

162. Other Bad Laws. 132 

163. When New Netherland became 

New York. 132 

164. King Philip’s War . 134 

165. Massachusetts loses its Charter 136 

•166. James II and Andros. 136 

167. Witchcraft in Salem . 136 


CHAPTER VIII 

The English in Maryland and Other Colonies 


168. 

Lord Baltimore; his Newfound- 


180. The English in Delaware . 

147 


land Colony. 

139 

181. The Carolinas. 

148 

169. 

An English Catholic Colony ... 

139 

182. Duke of Albemarle . 

149 

170. 

Settlement of Maryland. 

140 

183. The Model Government. 

149 

171. 

Claiborne’s Rebellion . 

141 

184. Charleston . 

150 

172. 

Religious Differences. 

142 

185. Tar, Turpentine and Other 


173 - 

The Baltimores again; Mason 


Products . 

150 


and Dixon . 

143 

186. Rice, Indigo, and Cotton. 


174. 

The English in Pennsylvania; 


Negro Slavery. 

150 


the Quakers. 

143 

187. The English in Georgia. 

151 

175 - 

William Penn . 

144 

188. Oglethorpe. 

152 

176. 

Pennsylvania . 

145 

189. Savannah . 

153 

177. 

Philadelphia . 

146 

190. Trouble with the Spaniards.... 

154 

178. 

Germans come to Pennsylvania 

146 

191. Slavery. 

154 

179. 

Trouble with the New King ... 

146 



CHAPTER IX 

English America and How It was Held 


192. 

Early English Settlers kept to 


206. 

General Braddock . 



the Coast. 

156 

207. 

Braddock’s Defeat. 


193 - 

King George’s War . 

156 

208. 

Johnson’s Victory at 

Lake 

194. 

English America at the Close of 



George. 



King George’s War . 

i 57 

209. 

The Acadians . 


195 - 

Industries . 

158 

210. 

“The Seven Years’ War 

in 

196. 

Slaves . 

i 59 


Europe. 


197. 

Clothing. 

1 59 

211. 

William Pitt . 


198. 

Heating and Cooking . 

160 

212. 

Montcalm . 


199. 

Houses. 

161 

213. 

Defeat at Ticonderoga .. 

. 173 

200. 

Religion . 

162 

214. 

Capture of Louisburg. 

Fort 

201. 

Education . 

162 


Duquesne . 


202. 

The French prepare for War 

163 

215. 

Plan of Campaign for 

1759 - 

203. 

The English begin to take the 



Battle of Quebec . 



Ohio Valley. 

164 

216. 

Treaty of Peace . 


204. 

The French and Indian War .. 

166 

217. 

Pontiac’s War. 


205. 

Franklin tries to form a Union . 

167 

























































CONTENTS 


IX 


CHAPTER X 

The English Colonies 


section page 

218. Canada . 179 

219. English Colonies. 179 

220. People . 179 

221. How England treated her Col¬ 

onies . 180 

222. Money used by the Colonists 180 

223. Industries . 181 

224. Writs of Assistance . 181 

225. England’s Need of the Colonies 182 

226. The Lords of Trade and the 

Colonial Governors . 182 

227. France no longer to be feared. . 182 


section page 

228. George III. 183 

229. Taxation without Representa¬ 

tion . 183 

230. England tries to humble the 

Colonies. The Stamp Act .. 183 

231. Committees of Correspondence 186 

232. It was the King’s Fault . 186 

233. Tories and Whigs. 186 

234. First Continental Congress .... 187 

235. The Fisheries . 188 

236. Privateers . 188 

237. The Minute-men . 188 


CHAPTER XI 

The Revolutionary War 


238. The Rebellion against the King 190 

239. Lexington and Concord . 190 

240. England and the Colonies at the 

Beginning of the Revolution . 192 

241. The Second Continental Con¬ 

gress . 193 

242. The Siege of Boston . 193 

243. The Battle of Bunker Hill .... 195 

244. Washington, Commander-in- 

Chief . 196 

245. Ticonderoga and Crown Point 197 

246. The Attempt to take Montreal 

and Quebec . 198 

247. Dorchester Heights . 198 

248. War in the Carolinas. 199 

249. The War in New York and New 

Jersey. 199 

250. The Hessians . 200 

251. Independence . 200 

252'. Washington’s Movements .... 202 

253. The Battle of Long Island. 203 

254. Retreat to Harlem . 203 

255. Washington enters New Jersey. 204 

256. Battle of Trenton. 205 

257. Money for the Soldiers; Robert 

Morris . 207 

258. Battle of Princeton . 207 


259. Benjamin Franklin . 208 

260. The Campaign in New York 

State in 1777 . 211 

261. Burgoyne’s March. 211 

262. Bennington. 211 

263 St. Leger . 212 

264. Howe’s Army . 2x2 

265. Howe moves against Phila¬ 

delphia . 212 

266. Burgoyne at Saratoga . 213 

267. Valley Forge. 214 

268. The Treaty with France. 215 

269. English leave Philadelphia. 

Monmouth . 215 

270. The Iroquois Indians. 216 

271. The West. 216 

272. Arnold’s Treason . 217 

273. John Paul Jones. 218 

274. The War in the South. 219 

275. Battle of Camden . 220 

276. Battle of King’s Mountain .... 220 

277. Yorktown . 221 

278. The Surrender of Cornwallis .. 222 

279. Peace . 224 

280. The Treaty. 224 

281. The Greatness of Washington.. 225 



















































X 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER XII 

Articles of Confederation — The Constitution 


SECTION PAGE 


282. The States, from the War for 

Independence to 1812. 228 

283. Articles of Confederation . 229 

284. Hard Times. 231 

285. Leading Men. 231 

286. The Ordinance of 1787 . 234 

287. Constitution of the United 

States. 235 

288. Slavery. 235 

289. Industries . 236 

290. The First President . 236 

291. Population; Character of the 

Country. 238 

292. Amendments to the Constitu¬ 

tion . 238 

293. Tariff .•.. 239 

294. The Capital. 239 

295. The Census. 240 

296. Debts, Coinage, Banking . 240 

297. New States . 241 

298. Parties. 241 


SECTION PAGE 

299. The French Republic . 242 

300. The Cotton Gin.242 

301. The National Government uses 

its Power. 242 

302. America’s Chance for Greater 

Commerce.'. 243 

303. Our Vessels searched for Sailors 244 

304. The Jay Treaty . 244 

305. The Spanish Treaty . 244 

306. A New President . 244 

307. France . 245 

308. Thomas Jefferson. 246 

309. New Ideas in Government .... 247 

310. The Barbary States. 248 

311. Admission of Ohio. 248 

312. The Louisiana Purchase. 248 

313. The Oregon Country. 249 

314. Trouble on the Sea . 250 

315. Embargo Act . 251 

316. Election of Madison . 252 

317. The Non-Intercourse Act. 252 


CHAPTER XIII 


Trouble With England 


318. 

The War of 1812 . 

... 254 

325. The British at Washington ... 

259 

319- 

Hull’s Surrender. 

• • • 255 

326. The “Star-Spangled Banner” . 

260 

320. 

Our Navy in 1812 . 

• • • 256 

327. The Desire for Peace. 

260 

321. 

The Constitution and 

the 

328. Battle of New Orleans . 

261 


Guerriere . 

• • • 257 

329. Close of the War .'. . .. 

262 

322. 

Other Naval Battles . 

■ • • 257 

330. Barbary Pirates . 

262 

323. 

Perry’s Victory. 

.. . 258 

331. The Tariff. 

263 

324- 

McDonough’s Victory. 

. . • 259 





CHAPTER XIV 



From the War 

OF l 8 l 2 

to the Mexican War 


332. 

President Monroe . 

. . . 264 

336. The Growth of National Pride 

266 

333 - 

Florida. 

. . . 264 

337. Immigration . 

266 

334 - 

Rise of Slavery Question . . 

. . . 265 

338. The Holy Alliance. 

267 

335 - 

The Missouri Compromise . 

. .. 266 

339. The Monroe Doctrine. 

267 






















































CONTENTS 


xi 


SECTION PAGE 

340. The Tariff. 267 

341. Manufactures. Inventions ... 268 

342. Improvements . 268 

343. A New President . 269 

344. The Erie Canal. 271 

345. The Railroads. 272 

346. Andrew Jackson. 272 

347. The Nullification Doctrine .... 273 

348. The Spoils System.274 

349. Jackson Reelected; the United 

States Bank .. 275 

350. The United States Bank and the 

Surplus. 275 


SECTION PAGE 

35 !• Two Wings of the Democratic 

Party. Slavery. 275 

352. Election of Van Buren . 276 

353. The Panic . 276 

354. The South wants Texas . 276 

355. Election of Harrison . 277 

356. Public Lands. 278 

357. The Telegraph . 278 

358. Texas. 279 

359. Election of Polk. 279 

360. The Oregon Country. 280 


CHAPTER XV 

Slavery Causes Trouble 


361. The Mexican War . 283 

362. The Wilmot Proviso . 284 

363. Election of General Taylor .... 284 

364. Admission of California . 284 

365. Discovery of Gold . 285 

366. Threats of Secession . 286 

367. The Fugitive Slave Law. 286 

368. Immigration . 287 

369. Steam. 287 

370. A President from the North ... 287 

371. Cuba . 289 


372. The Kansas-Nebraska Act .... 290 

373. Japan. 291 

374. Election of Buchanan . 291 

375. The Dred Scott Case. 291 

376. Abraham Lincoln. 292 

377. John Brown . 293 

378. Admission of New States . 294 

379. The Election of Abraham Lin¬ 

coln . 294 

380. Secession . 294 


381. Confederate States of America . 294 


CHAPTER XVI 

The War Between the States 


382. Fort Sumter . 296 

383. President Lincoln. 296 

384. The South begins the War .... 297 

385. Effect of the Capture of Fort 

Sumter. 298 

386. Condition of the South. 298 

387. The Blockade. 298 

388. Preparation. 299 

389. Bull Run. *... 299 

390. Call for Volunteers. Gen. 

George B. McClellan . 300 

391. West Virginia . 300 

392. Mason and Slidell . 301 

393. Forts Donelson and Henry .... 301 


394. Control of the Mississippi .... 303 

395. Battle of Shiloh or Pittsburg 


Landing. Corinth. 303 

396. The Duel of the Ironclads .... 304 

397. The Monitor . 305 

398. New Orleans. 306 

399. The Draft in the South. 307 

400. The Blockade goes on . 307 

401. Privations of the South. 307 

402. The North. 308 

403. Richmond. McClellan. 308 

404. Second Battle of Bull Run .... 310 

405. The Confederate Army Ad¬ 

vances . 310 

























































CONTENTS 


• • 

Xll 


SECTION PAGE 


406. Antietam; Fredericksburg ... 310 

407. Third Year of the War. 310 

408. Slavery and the Emancipation 

Proclamation . 312 

409. Results of Emancipation . 312 

410. Confederate War-ships on the 

Sea . 3x3 

411. England and France . 313 

412. Exchange of Prisoners *. 314 

413. The Draft Riots. 314 

414. Gettysburg . 315 

415. Vicksburg . 316 

416. Chattanooga and Chickamauga. 316 

417. Lookout Mountain and Mis¬ 

sionary Ridge. 318 

418. English and French War-vessels 

for the South . 318 

419. Grant in Command . 318 

420. Grant’s Plans . 319 


SECTION PAGE 


421. The Wilderness; a Fighting 

General . 319 

422. Spottsylvania . 320 

423. Cold Harbor. 320 

424. Petersburg. 320 

425. The Shenandoah Valley ...... 321 

426. Desperate Measures . 322 

427. Taxes in the Confederacy. 322 

428. The Nation’s Credit . 323 

429. Atlanta falls. 323 

430. The March to the Sea. 323 

431. The Elections; the Thirteenth 

Amendment . 324 

432. The South fights through Pride 325 

433. Sherman marches North .325 

434. Grant and Lee at Petersburg .. 326 

435. Lee abandons Richmond. 327 

436. Lee’s Surrender . 327 

437. What the War had cost. 328 

438. What the War did . 329 


CHAPTER XVII 

Reconstruction — Subsequent Events 


439. The Death of Lincoln. 332 

440. President Johnson . 332 

441. Pardons for Southern Soldiers . 333 

442. The Condition of the Freedmen 333 

443. The President’s Policy . 334 

444. The Civil Rights Bill. 334 

445. The Fourteenth Amendment . . 334 

446. The Ku-Klux Klan . 335 

447. Military Government . 335 

448. Enmity between Congress and 

the President . 336 

449. Mexico. 336 

450. President Grant. 338 

451. The Fifteenth Amendment .... 338 

452. The Pacific Railroad. 339 

453. The Alabama Claims. 341 

454. The Amnesty Act. Election. 

Panic . 342 

455. Resumption of Specie Payment; 

Colorado admitted. 342 

456. A Disputed Presidential Elec¬ 

tion . 343 

457. Paying the War Debt. 343 

458. Chinese Immigration. 343 


459. Election of Garfield. 344 

460. Death of Garfield. 344 

461. President Arthur . 345 

462. The New Navy . 345 

463. The Brooklyn Bridge . 345 

464. President Cleveland. 346 

465. The Tariff. 346 

466. President Harrison. 346 

467. Oklahoma . 347 

468. American Republics. 347 

409. New States . 347 

470. The People’s Party . 347 

471. Cleveland Reelected . 348 

472. The Panic . 348 

473. The Tariff. 348 

474. The Monroe Doctrine. 349 

475. President McKinley . 349 

476. The War with Spain . 350 

477. The Treaty of Peace . 352 


478. American Troops in China .... 352 

479. Second Election of McKinley .. 353 

480. Death of President McKinley . 353 

481. Cuba as a Nation. 354 

482. The Alaskan Boundary Line .. 354 



































































CONTENTS 


xm 


SECTION 


PAGE 


SECTION 


PAGE 


483. The Panama Canal. 

354 

496. 

484. The Election of Roosevelt. 

355 

497- 

485. President Taft. 

355 


486. The Return of the American 

498. 

Battleship Fleet. 

356 

499. 

487. The New Census. 

357 

500. 

488. The Sixteenth Amendment to 


501. 

the Constitution. 

357 

502. 

489. The Payne-Aldrich Tariff Bill.. 

358 

503- 

490. Discovery of the North Pole ... 

358 

5°4- 

491. The Hudson-Fulton Celebration 

359 

505- 

492. Aerial Navigation. 

359 

506. 

493. Arizona and New Mexico. 

494. Notable Inventions; Steam as 

359 

507- 

a Motive Power. 

495. The Development of Labor- 

359 

508. 

Saving Machinery. 

360 


CHAPTER X\ 

Growth and Development 

509. Territorial Expansion; Popula- 


523- 

tion. 

375 

524- 

510. The Western Movement. 

37b 

525- 

511. The Homestead Law. 

376 


512. Building a Home in the West; 


526. 

the New Farming. 

376 

527- 

513. Trouble with the Indians. 

377 

528. 

514. Early Methods of Work. 

378 

529- 

515. Inventions.. 

378 

53°- 

516. Electricity. 

378 

53i- 

517. Motors. 

379 

532. 

518. Growth in Manufacturing. 

380 

533- 

519. Early Railroads. 

380 

534- 

520. The Financial Panic of 1873. . . 

381 

535- 

521. The Manufacture and Use of 


536. 

Steel. 

381 

537- 

522. The New Mining. 

381 

538. 


to the Constitution. 363 


Movement. 370 


1916. 


37i 


tries. 


383 


388 


CHAPTER XIX 

% 

Changes in Government; Business; Labor Troubles 


539. The Presidential Succession Act 392 

540. The Interstate Commerce Com¬ 


mission. 39 2 

541. Ballot Reform Laws. 393 

542. Direct Primaries. 393 


543. Changes in Municipal Govern¬ 

ment. 393 

544. The Initiative and Referendum 393 

545. The Recall. 394 

546. Business Corporations; Trusts 394 


















































XIV 


CONTENTS 


SECTION PAGE 

547. Labor Unions and Strikes. 394 

548. A Great Railroad Strike. 395 

549. The Haymarket Riots in 

Chicago. 395 

550. Other Labor Troubles. 395 

551. The Pullman Car Company 

Strike. 395 


SECTION PAGE 

552. The Eighteenth Amendment to 

the Constitution. 396 

553. The Proposed Nineteenth 

Amendment to the Constitu¬ 
tion. 396 


CHAPTER XX 

The World War 


554. The German Scheme of World 

Control. 397 

555. German “Kultur”. 397 

556. The Military Ambitions of Ger¬ 

many . 398 

557. The Middle-Europe Plan. 399 

558. Austria and the Balkan Penin¬ 

sula. 399 

559. The Pretext for War. 399 

560. The War Begins. 400 

561. German Plan of Campaign. 400 

562. Invasion of Belgium. 401 


563. The First Battle of the Marne 401 

564. Failure of the German Plan of 

Campaign. 402 

565. Movements of the Russian 

Armies. 402 

566. Serbia, Italy, Japan and Turkey 403 

567. German Loss of Territory.403 

568. The German and British Navies 403 

569. New Methods of Warfare. 404 

570. Submarine Warfare; the Lusi¬ 

tania . 405 


CHAPTER XXI 

The United States Enters the War 


571. Declaration of Congress, April 

6 , 1917. 407 

572. Revolution in Russia. 407 

573. Trench Warfare. 408 

574. The Need of Ships... .. 409 

575. Increased Industry. 409 

576. Government Control of Rail¬ 

roads ; the Coal Supply. 409 

577. The Food Problem. 410 

578. The Military Training Camps 410 

579. The Selective Draft; Liberty 

Bonds. 411 

580. General Pershing in Command 

of the American Forces. 412 

581. How the Women Helped. 412 

582. The Great German Drive. 413 

583. The Supreme Command Given 

to General Foch. 413 

584. Further Movements of the 

German Forces. 413 


585. Chateau-Thierry. 414 

586. The Second Battle of the Marne 414 

587. The Advance of the Allied 

Armies. 415 

588. The Argonne Forest. 416 

589. The Drive on the Center. 416 

590. The Hindenburg Line Smashed 416 

591. The Fighting in Other Sections 417 

592. An Exchange of Diplomatic 

Notes. 417 

593. The “Fourteen Points”. 417 

594. The Armistice. 418 

595. The Conference at Paris. 418 

596. What the War had Cost. 419 

597. After the War; the High Cost 

of Living. 420 

598. Labor Troubles; Strikes. 420 

599. The Boston Police Strike. 421 

600. The Death of a Great American 421 

601. The American Legion. 421 

















































CONTENTS 


xv 


SECTION PAGE 

602. A Nation-wide Movement for 

Americanization. 422 

603. The Bolsheviki. 423 

604. Distinguished Visitors from 

England and Belgium. 423 

APPENDIX... 

The Declaration of Independence.... 
The Constitution of the United States 
Dates of Admission of the States.... 
List of Presidents. 


SECTION PAGE 

605. The Purchase of the Virgin 

Islands. 424 

606. A Forecast. 424 

. i 

. i 

. v 

. xxi 

. xxii 


INDEX 


XXlll 













LIST OF MAPS 


PAGE 

Map of the World, showing the United States and its Possessions (colored) 

Cover page 2 

Map of the United States (colored) . Cover page 3 

Early Trade Routes to the East (in text) . 3 

The Voyages of Columbus (in text) . 13 

The Explorations of Columbus (in text) . 15 

Explorations of Vespucius (in text). 19 

Map of Spanish Explorations (in text) . 35 

Explorations of the Cabots (in text) . 39 

Map of Raleigh’s Colonies (in text) . . . 45 

Map Showing Jacques Cartier’s Voyages (in text) . 48 

Map of Early Voyages . 54 

Map to Illustrate French Explorations (in text). 71 

Virginia in Early Days (in text) . 87 

The English Country in North America (in text) . 93 

The North-South Route (in text) . 103 

New England of the Pilgrims and Puritans (in text). 117 

Holland and a Part of England (in text). 118 

European Colonies in America — about 1650 . 133 

Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey (in text) . 141 

Eaxly Dutch and Swedish Settlements (in text). 148 

Route of Braddock’s Expedition (in text). 168 

Map showing French and English Forts (in text) . 171 

Central North America, 1755: At the Beginning of the French and Indian 

War (colored) . Facing 176 

Central North America, 1763: After the French and Indian War (col¬ 
ored) . Facing 176 

Map of Boston and Bunker Hill, 1775 (in text). 194 

Reference Map for the Revolution: Northern and Middle States (colored) 

Facing 198 

Reference Map for the Revolution: Southern States (colored). . . .Facing 220 

Sketch-Map of Yorktown (in text) . 222 

The United States at the Close of the Revolution. 233 




























LIST OF MAPS 


XVII 


PAGE 

Lewis and Clark’s Route (in text). 249 

Territorial Growth of the United States, 1783-1867 (colored). 

Between 250 and 251 

Route of the National Road (in text). 269 

Map of the Erie Canal (in text). 271 

Map Showing the Territory acquired from Mexico as the Result of the 

Mexican War (colored). Facing 284 

The Slave States before the War (in text). 297 

Reference Map for the Civil War, 1861-65 (colored). .. .Between 298 and 299 

The Confederacy at the Close of 1862 (in text). 311 

Map of the Vicksburg Campaign (in text). 316 

The Confederacy at the Close of 1863 (in text). 319 

The Confederacy at the Close of 1864 (in text). 325 

The Confederacy in the Spring of 1865 (in text). 326 

Irrigation Centers of the West (in text). 340 

Relief Map of the Panama Canal (in text). 355 

The Westward Movement of the Center of Population of the United States 

(in text). 357 

The Berlin to Bagdad Railway (in text). 398 

Battle Fronts (in text). 4°8 



















AMERICAN HISTORY 


CHAPTER I 

EARLY PORTUGUESE AND SPANISH DISCOVERIES AND 

EXPLORATIONS 

1. Early Mediterranean Trade Routes. — Five hundred 
years ago Europe was the home of the white race. Except 
parts of Africa, where the black race dwelt, and of Asia, the 
home of the yellow and the brown races, the white race knew 
nothing of the world outside of Europe. Asia is east of 
Europe, and with its people the Europeans traded. They 
had little or no trade with the Africans. To the west lay 
the Atlantic Ocean which, so far as they knew, had no end. 

To carry goods to Asia, or the East, small ships called car¬ 
avels were used. These sailed from Venice and Genoa, ports 
in the Mediterranean Sea. They went eastward, some to 
Alexandria, and some to the Black Sea. 

2. The Great Question. — From these points goods were 
sent forward on the backs of camels, A number of camels 
with their drivers were called a caravan. The caravans with 
goods from the East met these ships and returned overland 
to ports in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf with goods from 
the West. Thence the goods were sent in vessels to India, 
by way of the Indian Ocean. The Turks lived along these 
land routes. They were Mahometans, while the white traders 
of Europe were Christians, and between them there was 
war. Because of this it was very dangerous to go by caravan 
through the Turkish country. 


2 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


The great question for the merchants of Europe was, “ How 
can we get to India and back without passing through the 
land of the Turks? ” 


3. Portugal the First Nation to try to find a New Route. — 

Portugal, a country of Europe bordering on the Atlantic, 
was the home of many hardy and brave sailors. For years 



Caravan Crossing the Desert 


these sailors had tried to find a way to India by going around 
the southern point of Africa, then known as “The Cape of 
Storms.” 

Prince Henry the Navigator,” son of a king of Portugal, 
sent ships south along the west coast of Africa to find the 
way around its southern end into the Indian Ocean. Each 
year Portuguese sailors went farther than they had gone 
before. But it was not until 1487 that one of them suc¬ 
ceeded in sailing around the “ Cape of Storms.” This voyage 
was made by Bar-thol-o-mew Diaz (De'-ath). While sailing 














EARLY DISCOVERIES 


3 


along the western shore of Africa, he was driven south by a 
great storm. When the wind died away and the sea grew 
calm, he sailed to the east, expecting to come in sight of 

land. 

The storm had carried his three little caravels so far to 
the south that when he turned east he sailed by the “Cape 



Early Trade Routes to the East 


of Storms” into the Indian Ocean. Turning to the north, 
he passed along the east coast of Africa for about six hun¬ 
dred miles. Then sailing south, he again rounded the “Cape 
of Storms” and bore to the north for home. He reached 
Portugal about Christmas, 1487. 

But the route was too long to be useful. Then the ques¬ 
tion was, “Can a shorter sea route than this be found?” 

4. Columbus. — Others besides the wise men of Portugal 
were studying the question of a short water route to India. 















4 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Among them was Christopher Columbus, who was born 
about 1436 near Genoa, a city of Italy. When he was four¬ 
teen years old, he began to sail in the trading ships of the 
Mediterranean. In this way, while yet young, he became 
skillful in the art of sailing the small vessels of those 
days. 

5 . The Earth is Round. — Columbus, like many learned 
men of his time, believed that the earth is round. He thought 

that by sailing west across 
the Atlantic Ocean, he 
could reach India. He 
thought that the earth 
was much smaller than it 
is, and that India reached 
much farther around it. 
He said that the way across 
the Atlantic must be a 
short one. He did not 
know that there was 
another body of land be- 

. . -. N \ -% * 

Christopher Columbus tween the western shores of 

Europe and the eastern 
coast of India. When he was about thirty-five years old he 
went to Lisbon, a city of Portugal. There he got some 
rare maps which had belonged to his father-in-law, who had 
been a skillful sailor. 

6. Columbus forms a Plan. — His study of these maps 
strengthened his belief. He formed a plan to search for 
India by sailing west. But, being without money, he could 
not carry it out. He first went for aid to King John of 
Portugal. The king turned the matter over to a council of 
his wisest and most learned subjects. By their advice, he 




Columbus before Ferdinand and Isabella at Cordova 

Painting by Francisco Joves 





















6 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


refused help and Columbus went away. That refusal cost 
Portugal the glory and profit of finding a new world. 

The king did not aid Columbus, but he followed the plan 
that Columbus had given him. He sent a vessel of his own 
to find India. It sailed to the Cape Verde Islands and thence 
westward. It followed this course for several days, but 
meeting stormy weather, the sailors became frightened. They 
returned to Lisbon and said that the plan of Columbus was 
wrong, and that there could be no land in that terrible waste 
of waters. 

7. Columbus leaves Portugal and goes to Spain. — Angry 
at the trickery of the king, Columbus left Lisbon for Spain 
about 1484, where he began a struggle for aid which was 
to last more than seven years. Spending two years in fol¬ 
lowing the king and queen from place to place, he at last 
got a hearing. They told him to appear at Salamanca, 
before some of the most learned men in Spain, and set forth 
his plans. Columbus did so, but his success was small. 
Only a few of those wise men thought as he did. 

8. Columbus decides to leave Spain. — Five years after¬ 
ward, Columbus again tried to get help from Isabella, queen 
of Spain, but failed. Disappointed, he decided to apply else¬ 
where for aid. He went to a village near Palos to get his 
son, whom he had left there seven years before. After 
leaving Palos, Columbus and his son Diego, then a lad of 
twelve, stopped at a convent to beg for food. 

Here Columbus spoke of his plans and hopes with the 
good priest who had received him kindly. This priest, who 
had been the confessor of Queen Isabella, got for him an¬ 
other hearing with the king and queen. But it ended as 
before, and Columbus now resolved to apply for aid to France. 

9. Columbus is called Back. Success. — He had set out 



Caravels of Columbus 

his voyage. After years of disappointment, his courage and 
perseverance had won success. His story shows how stead¬ 
fast purpose may overcome poverty and ridicule. 

10. First Voyage. — Columbus had great trouble in get¬ 
ting together his ships and crews. Men were afraid to go 
on a voyage so full of dangers, which were the more dread¬ 
ful because they were unknown. But at length three small 
vessels were made ready, the Santa Maria (San-ta Ma-re'-a), 
Pinta , and Nina (Neen'yah). These vessels were hardly 


EARLY DISCOVERIES 


for France on mule-back, when a messenger from Isabella 
overtook him with an order to return. She had decided to 
help him. Obeying her order, Columbus went back. Plans 
were then made to give him the ships and men needful for 












8 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


seaworthy, the Santa Maria, the ship in which the commander 
was to sail, being the only one fully decked over. 

The three little ships, manned by about a hundred and 
twenty sailors, sailed from the harbor of Palos on the morn¬ 
ing of Friday, August 3, 1492, bound for the Canary Islands, 
whence they were to sail westward over the unknown sea. 
Some time was spent there in making repairs to one of the 
vessels. Then the little fleet sailed out boldly into the “ Sea 
of Darkness.” 

All went well for a while. But as the days passed and 
the distance from home grew greater, the fears of the sailors 
began to overcome them and their courage gave way to ter¬ 
ror. Ignorance as to where they were and 
how far they might have to sail added to 
their fright. Many of them, believing 
that the earth was flat, thought that 
they must be drawing near to the edge 

, of the ocean, where they would surely 

Mariner’s Compass . 1T „ J 

fall off. 

To guide him in his course Columbus had the mariner’s 
compass. This had been invented and used for centuries. 
At one time during the voyage the needle of the compass 
did not point due north. This alarmed the ignorant sailors, 
until Columbus told them that the needle did not point to 
the north star, but to one near it, which was constantly mov¬ 
ing, and caused the needle at times to point somewhat to the 
west of north. For determining his position at sea the great 
discoverer had the astrolabe, an instrument which has since 
gone out of use. 

Columbus did all that he could to cheer his men. He 
made fun of their foolish fears. At one time they would not 
obey him and told him that they would throw him into the 









EARLY DISCOVERIES 


9 


sea. This state of things had been going on for a month, 
when signs of land were seen. A branch of a tree floated by 
one of the vessels, and a carved stick was picked up from the 
water by one of the sailors. A flock of land birds was seen 
flying to the southwest. All knew by these signs that land 



Landing of Columbus, October 12, 1492 
After the picture by Dioscora Puebla. 


was near. Believing that the birds were flying toward land, 
Columbus turned his course to follow them. 

11. Land Sighted. — On the evening of October 11, 1492, 
the watchful commander saw in the west what seemed to be 
a moving light. At the same time he heard from the other 
ships the cry of "Land!” All waited for what the break of 
day was to show. It was more than two months since they 
had left Spain, and every day had been a time of danger 









IO 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


and dread. As the sun rose, October 12, they saw before 
them a green and low-lying island. Columbus landed and, 
claiming the island for Spain, named it San Salvador, the 
Spanish words for Holy Saviour. 

The natives were unlike any people that the Spaniards 
had ever seen. They were tall and graceful, of brown or cin¬ 
namon-colored complexion. They were peaceful and kind. 
As Columbus thought that he had reached India, he called 
these natives Indians. For the same reason, he called the 
islands that he had found the Indies. The Indians wore 
gold trinkets. The Spaniards, hoping to find gold, asked 
them by signs where they got them. They pointed to the 
south. 

12. Cuba and Hispaniola. — Columbus sailed away in 
search of the land of gold, and reached the island which the 
Indians called Cuba. The men landed and made several 
journeys inland. Columbus thought that this island was 
the mainland of Asia, and wondered that he did not see the 
great and rich cities of which he had read. 

He then sailed easterly along the coast of another island, 
which we know as Hayti, but which he called Hispaniola, 
or “Spanish Land.” Here, on Christmas Day, his largest 
and best ship, the Santa Maria , was wrecked. 

13. First Settlement in the New World. — He left forty 
of his men to found a settlement on the north coast of this 
island. This little settlement was called The Nativity, or 
in Spanish, La Navidad. 

14. Return to Spain. — Pinzon, the captain of the Pinta , 
had run away and started for home, and Columbus then had 
only one ship, the Nina. Taking leave of the little settle¬ 
ment on Hispaniola early in 1493, he set the Nina's sails for 
Spain. On the way he overtook the Pinta, and the two 


Reception of Columbus by Ferdinand and Isabella on his Return from his First Voyage 

Painting by R. Balaca 







»« *a» ■- > - ; v 




4 

4*3 







12 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


little caravels sailed together until they were separated by 
a storm. They did not meet again until they had reached 
the harbor of Palos. 

The news of the return of Columbus caused wild excite¬ 
ment and great rejoicing. Through him Spain claimed the 
honor of finding a new and short route to India. At Bar¬ 
celona, where the king and queen were staying at the time, 
he was received with the greatest honors. 

15. Other Voyages of Columbus. — Columbus made three 
more voyages,, on the last two of which he visited the main¬ 
land of both South and Central America. 

He found no difficulty in procuring ships and sailors for 
his second voyage. The “ Sea of Darkness ” had been crossed. 
Its waste of water was no longer terrible to Spanish sailors. 
They now desired to learn more about this new-found land 
where the far West and the far East came together. They 
felt that further search would surely lead to the rich cities of 
China and India, where gold, spices, silks, and precious stones 
were plentiful. 

16. Second Voyage. — Columbus left Cadiz on his sec¬ 
ond voyage in September, 1493. He commanded a fleet of 
three large ships and fourteen caravels, carrying fifteen 
hundred men. After touching the Canary Islands, the fleet 
set forth on its westerly course. Land was first seen early 
in November. This was a small island southeast of the 
present island of Porto Rico, and the Spaniards gave it 
the name Dominica. Shaping their course to the north¬ 
west and passing other small islands, they landed at Porto 
Rico. Leaving that port, Columbus went to the little 
colony of La Navidad, which had been founded the year 
before on the island of Hispaniola. The fort was in ruins 
and not one of the forty men left there was found. All of 


EARLY DISCOVERIES 


*3 


them had been killed by the natives, with whom they had 
foolishly quarreled. 

17. Second Settlement. — Moving farther to the east, the 
Spaniards built another settlement, which they named Isabella 
in honor of the queen. From here Columbus started with 
a body of armed men to explore the country. He found that 



the natives lived in villages and that they also grew maize, 
or Indian corn. Gold was discovered and some of it was 
sent back to Spain. 

18. First Battle between White Men and Indians. — 

Early the next year (1494) Columbus set out from Isa¬ 
bella in search of what he thought would be the mainland 
of Asia. He sailed west with three caravels and, changing 
his course, reached the south coast of Cuba. A little later, 
while in these waters, he came to the island which the natives 
































14 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


called Jamaica. When the Spaniards landed on this island, 
they were met with a storm of arrows and javelins. But the 
Indians, who could not long withstand the Spaniards, fled. 

Columbus was greatly pleased with the beauty of this 
island, but since those who lived there were savages, he 
thought it best to keep away. So he sailed back to the 
southern coast of Cuba, which he followed nearly to its 
western end. He thought that if he held this course long 
enough he would reach the Indian Ocean, and passing 
around the Cape of Good Hope, return to Spain. His men 
refusing to go farther, he sailed back to Hispaniola, where 
he remained about two years. After having been away 
from Spain for nearly three years Columbus at last reached 
Cadiz in June, 1496. He was kindly received by the king 
and queen. Shortly after Columbus had left Hispaniola, 
his brother Bartholomew founded San Domingo on the 
south coast of that island. 

19. Third Voyage. — The great discoverer with a fleet of 
six vessels started on his third voyage in May, 1498. Stop¬ 
ping at the Canary Islands, Columbus ordered that three 
of his ships should sail for Hispaniola. With the other three, 
the great admiral sailed in a southerly direction to the Cape 
Verde Islands. Leaving these islands and steering south¬ 
westerly, he crossed the Atlantic. By sailing in this direc¬ 
tion, on a southerly course, he thought that he might clear 
the coast of Cuba, and sail into the Indian Ocean. If he 
could do this, Spain would share with Portugal the rich trade 
of India, and by a shorter route. 

20. Columbus finds the Continent. — About August 1st 
Columbus reached the island of Trinidad, at the mouth of 
the Orinoco River on the coast of South America. From the 
length and the nature of the coast he knew that he had found 


EARLY DISCOVERIES 


15 


the mainland of a continent. This, he thought, must be 
Asia, and he believed that somewhere there must be a strait 
through which he could pass to the Indian Ocean. He sailed 
westerly along the north coast of the continent, for about 



The Explorations • of Columbus 


two hundred miles. But he did not find the strait for which 
he was looking. Disappointed at this, he started for His¬ 
paniola and reached San Domingo in August, 1498. 

He had not been there for more than two years, and he 
found that while he was away there had been much trouble. 
Some of the Spanish settlers had joined the natives and were 
trying to overthrow the rule of Columbus s brother Bar¬ 
tholomew. 













i6 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


In the summer of 1500, Bobadilla was sent from Spain 
to take command of Hispaniola. On his arrival, he arrested 
Columbus and threw him into prison. The reason he gave 
for doing this was that Columbus had made slaves of the 
natives and was trying to set up a government of his own. 
Upon this false charge Columbus was placed on shipboard, 
in chains, and sent to Spain. 

With his chains still upon him, Columbus arrived in Cadiz. 
But the good Queen Isabella, shocked at the news and angry 
at the treatment of Columbus, ordered that he be set free 
and brought to her. When he saw his queen, Columbus, 
now an old man, burst into tears. The charges against him 
were dismissed and he was promised further favor. 

21. The Portuguese reach India by Sea. — While Colum¬ 
bus was on his third voyage, the Portuguese were not idle. 
Vasco da Gama had made a voyage to India by way of the 
Cape of Good Hope. He was the first to find India by sail¬ 
ing around Africa. 

Starting in 1497, Da Gama returned to Lisbon after an ab¬ 
sence of two years and told wonderful stories of the strange 
land he had visited. He brought home spices, ivory, pre¬ 
cious stones, and silks. This success of Portugal in finally 
reaching India led to the fourth voyage of Columbus. 

22. Fourth Voyage. — Columbus left Cadiz on this last 
venture in May, 1502, in command of four caravels and one 
hundred and fifty men. As a new governor had been sent 
to Hispaniola, Columbus was forbidden to land there. It was 
feared that his presence might stir up trouble. He did, how¬ 
ever, enter the harbor of San Domingo in June. His purpose 
was to procure another caravel, for one of his boats had 
become unseaworthy. The new governor ordered Columbus 
to depart from the harbor. The great admiral, grieved at 


EARLY DISCOVERIES 


17 

such treatment, sailed southwest and came to anchor on the 
coast of the country now called Honduras. 

23. Hunting for a Way to India. — He spent the fall of 
the year 1502 in coasting along the shores of that country, 
first to the east and then to the south. He sailed more than 
seven hundred miles, looking for a strait through which he 
might pass to the Indian Ocean. The natives had told him 
by signs that to the south was a 11 narrow way,” which would 
bring him to a large ocean on the west coast. They meant the 
narrow Isthmus of Darien, and not a strait. But Columbus 
thinking that he was on the coast of Asia, believed that he 
might “round” the Malay peninsula and enter the Strait of 
Malacca. 

Columbus and his men at last began to suffer from lack 
of food, and he bore away for Hispaniola. Sailing to the 
north, the fleet was driven westerly and land was first 
sighted on the south coast of Cuba, north of the island of 
Jamaica. 

24. Castaways on the Island of Jamaica. — Here the 
vessels were badly damaged by a severe storm, but Jamaica 
was finally reached. The ships were leaking and could sail 
no farther. They were drawn on land, and a fort was made 
of their timbers, in which the shipwrecked men had shelter 
from wind and weather. And so Columbus and his crews 
found themselves castaways on the coast of Jamaica. Two 
of the bravest men, with some natives and other Spaniards, 
went to the island of Hispaniola for help. Their boat was 
only a frail canoe, but reaching that island, they made their 
way to the town of San Domingo. They told the governor 
where Columbus was and that he was shipwrecked, but no 
help was sent for a year. It was a time of great danger for 
Columbus, when the governor of Hispaniola at last sent two 


18 AMERICAN HISTORY 



caravels to Jamaica, which carried the shipwrecked men to 
San Domingo. 

25. Death of Isabella and Columbus. — Fast aging from 
his labors and hardships and sorrowing at the treatment he 
had received, Columbus returned to Spain, November, 1504. 
His best friend, the good Queen Isabella, died a few days 

after his return, and 
he suffered all the 
pains of neglect, pov¬ 
erty, and sickness. 
He died in May, 
1506, when about 
seventy years of age. 
To the day of his 
death, he thought 
that the mainland 
that he had twice 
visited was the coast 
of Asia. 

26. A m e r i c u s 
Vespucius, the Flor¬ 
entine. — When 
Christopher Colum¬ 
bus was about six¬ 
teen years old, another Italian boy was born, who was to be 
famous in the story of America. Florence, a city about one 
hundred and fifty miles from Genoa, was his birthplace. 
His name was Americus Vespucius. He was of good family 
and when young worked for one of the leading merchants 
of his native city. 


Americus Vespucius (Amerigo Vespucci) 


When older, he visited Spain and made a business of ship¬ 
building and furnishing supplies for ships. He had a fair 






EARLY DISCOVERIES 


19 


education and was skillful in telling in what part of the sea 
the ship was, on which he was sailing. Thus his services were 
helpful to ship captains. In the stories of his first and third 
voyages, he tells that King Ferdinand of Spain sent him on 
his first voyage in 1497. From what he says of this voyage, 
it appears that he first landed on the coast of Honduras in 
the summer of that year. 

It is said that from Hon¬ 
duras, Vespucius sailed 
along the bend of the coast 
of the Gulf of Mexico. 

Passing between Cuba and 
Florida, he went northerly, 
following the coast of the 
present United States, per¬ 
haps as far as Chesapeake 
Bay. 

In 1499, Vespucius began 
his second voyage, again sail¬ 
ing in the service of Spain. 

This time he reached the 
northern coast of Brazil, in 
South America, which he 
followed northwesterly as 
far as Lake Maracaibo, in the western part of the country 
we now call Venezuela. 

His third and fourth voyages were made in the service of 
King Emanuel of Portugal. The third was the most im¬ 
portant, for he sailed his three little vessels southerly along 
the coast of South America. Leaving the coast he turned 
his course to the southeast and went as far as the cold waters 
of the Antarctic Ocean, whence he was driven back by float- 



Explorations of Vespucius 










20 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


ing ice. He knew from the vast extent of the coast, that 
this land body was a great continent. 

On his fourth voyage, 1503-1504, Vespucius sailed along 
the coast of what is now Brazil, as far as the present city of 
Rio Janeiro. The name America, in honor of Americus 
Vespucius, was first given to Brazil and later to all of the 
great western continents. 

27. Ponce de Leon. — Ponce de Leon, a Spaniard, was a 
companion of Columbus on one of his voyages. He had 
been a brave soldier in the wars with the Moors, who had 
come from Africa and had for centuries overrun Spain. 

When De Leon reached the Indies, he was placed in com¬ 
mand of the Spanish soldiers at San Domingo. From this 
place he made several journeys. He went to Porto Rico, 
and was told by the Indians that gold could be found in its 
mountains. Having been made governor of that island, he 
treated the helpless natives with great cruelty. 

28. “The Fountain of Youth.” Florida. — It was said 
that in one of the neighboring islands to the north there was 
a wonderful spring. By bathing in it, or by drinking of its 
waters, old men might become young. In the year 1513 
Ponce, who was then old and feeble, sailed northwesterly 
from Porto Rico in search of this spring. He came to a 
beautiful shore that was fragrant with the odor of flowers. 
He landed on Easter Sunday near the present town of St. 
Augustine, and called the beautiful land Florida. The 
natives were more warlike than those of Porto Rico, and 
they resisted his efforts to explore their country. Return¬ 
ing to Porto Rico, he went to Spain and reported his dis¬ 
covery. This so pleased his royal master, that he appointed 
De Leon governor of the land that he had found. 

De Leon believed that the delightful country which he had 


EARLY DISCOVERIES 


21 



discovered was rich in gold, and in 1521 he sailed again to 
Florida. He took with him a large force of well-armed men 
and a number of horses. But the natives fought and checked 
his advance into their country, and in one of the battles he 
was wounded by an arrow. The wound caused his death 
in Cuba, a few months later. 


Landing of Ponce de Leon at Florida 

29. Balboa. — There was a young Spaniard of good fam¬ 
ily who had left Spain because he was in debt and threat¬ 
ened with imprisonment, and who, at San Domingo, got 
into more trouble of the same kind. His name was Vasco 
Nunez de Balboa (Noon'-yeth da Bal-bo'a). About this 
time (1509), preparations were being made in Hispaniola for 
a visit of discovery to Central America. Balboa wished to 
go in order to get away from those to whom he owed money. 










22 


AMERICAN HISTORY 



He hid in one of the ships until it was well out at sea. It is 
said that he was carried aboard, hidden in a large barrel. 
As soon as he thought it safe, he came out of his hiding 
place. When the ships arrived at the Isthmus of Darien, 
Balboa managed to place himself at the head of the com¬ 
pany, and became 


very active in ex¬ 
ploring the country. 

30. Balboa dis¬ 
covers the Pacific 
Ocean. ■—Having 
been told that be¬ 
yond the moun¬ 
tains, to the west, 
there was an ocean, 
and that gold could 
be found along its 
shores, Balboa set 
out with about two 
hundred men, to see 
if the story was 
true. After a time 
they came to a high 
mountain up which 
he went alone. 
When he reached 
the top, he saw the 

largest and grandest ocean in the world. 

The first white man to behold it, he named this 
vast water the South Sea. It was what we now call 
the Pacific Ocean. Four days afterward Balboa reached 
this wonderful sea. He waded into it and, with drawn 


Balboa Discovers the Pacific Ocean 




EARLY DISCOVERIES 


2 3 


sword, declared that it belonged, by right of discovery, to the 
king of Spain. This happened in September, 1513. 

31. Cortes; Exploration and Conquest of Mexico. — In 
1517 Cordova, a Spanish sailor, left Cuba and visited the 
coast of Yucatan. In the following year, Grijalva (Gre-hal'- 
va), another Spanish explorer, visited the same country and 
sailed along its coast. 

These two men have been 
called the discoverers of 
Mexico. The stories they 
told led to the further 
searching out of that coun¬ 
try by Hernando Cortes. 

Cortes was a Spanish sol¬ 
dier who went in 1504 from 
Spain to the settlement of 
San Domingo. From there 
he was sent to Cuba, in 
1511, to take part in the 
settlement of that island. 

After spending some years 
there, he was ordered by 
the governor to visit the 
region we now call Mexico. 

32. Troops of Cortes.— 

He had in his army about 
five hundred Spanish soldiers, with some Indians from Cuba. 
He took with him a few small cannon. Some of his men 
were armed with a kind of gun called the arquebus. Others 
carried cross-bows, which they used with deadly effect. 

Some of the Spaniards had horses. The natives of Mexico, 
or Aztecs, as they were called, had never seen such animals. 



The Armor of Cortes 

After an engraving of the original in the 
National Museum, Madrid 



















24 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


The horses and their riders frightened them, for they 
thought that rider and horse were one animal They were 
also greatly frightened at the noise of the cannon. Soon 
after landing there was a sharp battle in which Cortes 
defeated the natives. To fight against the deadly weapons 

of the strange 
white men, the 
poor Indians had 
only lances, jave¬ 
lins, bows and ar¬ 
rows, and heavy 
wooden swords. 
After this fight, 
Cannon of the Time of Cortes Cortes and his men 

There are in the naval museum at Annapolis guns moved westward 
captured in the Mexican War supposed to be those al the coast un _ 
used by Cortes. # ° 

til a place was 

reached which seemed good for a settlement. Here Cortes 
built a small town, giving it the name (Vera Cruz) which, 
as a city, it bears to-day. Fearing that he would be called 
to Cuba by the governor of that island, Cortes sank his ships. 

33. The City of Mexico. — Having been told of a city 
far back from the coast, Cortes set out to take it. Mov¬ 
ing westward, he began his march in the summer of 1519. 
When he had covered about half of his journey, he was 
attacked by a large body of natives. Very few of the Span¬ 
iards were killed, while the Aztecs lost many of their best 
warriors. 

Marching on, he came to a village where a plot had been 
made by the natives to destroy his army by falling upon it 
at night. But Cortes heard of the plan in time to prepare 
for it, and in the battle that followed he put his foes to flight. 




EARLY DISCOVERIES 


25 


At last, the Spaniards came to the eastern shore of a lake, 
and looking out over its waters saw the ancient town of 
Mexico. The wonderful town which the Spaniards now 
beheld was built upon an island in the lake, and was con¬ 
nected with the mainland by three roads which ran in dif- 



The City of Mexico under the Conquerors 
From the engraving in the ‘‘Niewe Wereld ” of Montanus 


ferent directions. The roads were four or five miles long 
and from twenty to thirty feet wide. 

34. Montezuma. — Montezuma, the Aztec ruler of the 
city, sent the Spaniards gold and asked them to leave his 
country. But this sign of wealth made the Spaniards more 
eager to take the city. Montezuma, thinking it the wisest 
thing to do, asked them to come into the town. The Span¬ 
iards entered, being met by Montezuma at the gates. 

Cortes had noticed, in his fights with the natives, that 
if their chief were taken, they lost heart and gave way. So 
he made Montezuma his prisoner. 









26 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Cortes was now the real ruler, and passed the winter in 
the very heart of the enemies’ country. But he was not idle 
and spent the time in building small vessels, with which to 
retreat by way of the lake in case of sudden attack. 

About this time the Aztecs chose Montezuma’s brother 
for their chief and leader, and under his command they at 
once began an attack upon the Spaniards. The cannon of 
the Spaniards did terrible work, but the natives fought from 
the tops of neighboring houses. 

35. Cortes Leaves the City. — The Spaniards were now 
in great peril. Cortes, fearing that his men would have to 
yield for want of food, saw that he must get away. He 
marched his force one night to one of the roads leading out 
of the city. While on this narrow way, he was again attacked 
by the maddened natives, who swarmed in their canoes on 
each side of it. After a deadly fight, which lasted all 
night, Cortes and his men forced their way to the mainland. 
A few days later, the natives again attacked him, but met 
with a crushing defeat. 

Cortes now wisely spent his time in winning over the 
natives of the country around the lake, many of whom joined 
his little army. Again he marched his men to the lake, 
where more of the natives, being friendly, joined his army. 
Here he spent some time in building small vessels which 
could be used in a fresh attack. 

36. Capture of the City. — In April, 1521, he began his 
movement against the city. The struggle was fierce and 
bloody, for the natives knew they were fighting for their lives 
and their homes, and they were reckless in their bravery. 

At last, in the month of August, after terrible fighting for 
a period of nearly four months, the city was taken by the 
Spaniards. Thus the Aztec nation was conquered by Cortes, 


EARLY DISCOVERIES 


2 7 


and Mexico became a Spanish province, so to remain for about 
three hundred years. 

37. Ferdinand Magellan, 1519-1522. — The third and 
fourth voyages of Americus Vespucius were made along the 
eastern coast of South Amer¬ 
ica. His account of one of 
these two voyages greatly 
interested other navigators, 
among whom was Ferdinand 
Magellan, who set out to 
find a westerly passage to 
India through or around 
South America. He offered 
to do this for Emanuel, who 

was then king of Portugal. 

TT . - Ferdinand Macellan 

His offer was refused. He 

then went to the king of Spain, who employed him. Thus, 
for a second time, Portugal threw away the chance of dis¬ 
covering new lands by the western route across the “Sea of 
Darkness.” 

38. Magellan Starts. — A fleet of five ships was made 
ready, and with Magellan as admiral, left Spain in September, 
1519. There were in this little fleet about three hundred men. 
In about a month it had crossed the ocean, reaching the 
coast of the country now called Brazil. Continuing his way 
to the south, the great sailor found harbor in March, 1520, 
on the coast of the country now known as Patagonia. As 
the long winter of this region was just beginning, he 
anchored there for the season. 

39. Straits of Magellan. — In August, which in the South¬ 
ern seas is a winter month, the cold weather was becoming 
less severe. Then Magellan sailed south, in search of a 




28 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


strait through which he could pass to the South Sea, as the 
Pacific was then called. About this time one of the ships 
was wrecked. The captain of another sailed away and took 
his vessel back to Spain. The little fleet, now reduced to 
three small ships, at last entered that great strait which ever 
since has borne the name of the brave Magellan. 

40. On the Pacific Ocean. — After many hardships, 
Magellan, in November, 1520, sailed out upon the broad 
waters of the ocean which Balboa had seen seven years 
before from the mountains of Darien, thousands of miles 
to the north. This vast body of water he named the 
Pacific Ocean. 

Then came a time of great suffering and hardship; but, 
with a stout heart, Magellan steered for the northwest. 
Food and water ran short, and the crews suffered from hun¬ 
ger, thirst, and sickness. Sailing for more than three 
months, Magellan reached the Ladrone Islands, which lie 
east of the Philippines and south of Japan. He was the 
first to cross the Pacific. Ten days later, in March, 1521, 
the weary sailors reached the Philippine Islands. The 
finding of these islands gave them to Spain, and they were 
held by that nation for nearly four hundred years. 

41. Death of Magellan. — Magellan was killed in the 
Philippines in a fight between neighboring islanders in which 
he took part. One of his ships which was unfit for service 
was destroyed. The two other vessels sailed south to the 
Molucca or Spice Islands. After stopping there for some 
time, one of them, the Victory, sailed westerly, bound for 
home. She left the Moluccas about Christmas, 1521, with 
fifty men on board, most of whom were sick and worn. 

42. Into the Atlantic Ocean Again. — After a voyage of 
some months, spent in crossing the Indian Ocean, she at 


EARLY DISCOVERIES 


29 



last reached the Cape of Good Hope. Rounding this cape 
and entering the Atlantic Ocean, the little Victory, turning to 
the northwest, sailed for Spain. Manned by a few sick and 
half-starved men she reached that country in September, 


-V- 


— — 






- 






The “Victory” in the Strait of Magellan 

1522. This voyage, the first one around the world, was then 
the longest that had ever been made. Three years had 
passed since the little fleet left Spain. When we think of 
the length and the perils of this voyage, and the small 
size and bad condition of the vessels, we must wonder that 
even one of the ships reached home. 














30 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


43. What the Voyage Proved. — From this time it was 
known that a vast continent lay to the westward of Europe, 
barring the way to the shores of Asia. There was no longer 
doubt that the earth is round. 

44. Pizarro. — The Spanish colonists on the Isthmus of 
Darien, barred from exploring the rich country to the north, 
already conquered by Cortes and his followers, turned to the 
south in their search for gold. 

Francis Pizarro had landed on the coast near Darien, 
in one of the voyages made from Hispaniola. When Balboa 
was making his famous journey across the isthmus, one of 
the native chiefs told him that, far to the south, on the shores 
of the great ocean, was a land very rich in gold. Pizarro, 
hearing the remark, made up his mind that he would at some 
time visit that country. But he did not get the chance 
until some years later. 

45. Pizarro tries to find Peru. — At last he decided to 
start on a voyage of discovery to this unknown coast. His 
fleet came back badly damaged by wind and weather. He 
tried again two years later (1526), and landed some of his 
men on the coast. He was still a long distance from 
Peru, and sent one of his ships back to Panama for more 
men and supplies. While he was waiting for help from 
Panama, one of his pilots sailed south in the remaining ship. 
He passed the equator and on the coast of the country we 
now call Ecuador captured some natives. These he carried 
back to Pizarro, and they told him of the extent and rich¬ 
ness of the country of the Incas, as the natives of Peru were 
called. 

The supplies from Panama arrived, and Pizarro went for¬ 
ward and landed on a small island near the coast. He had 
not been there long when a ship came which had been sent 


EARLY DISCOVERIES 


3 i 


to bring him and his men back to Panama. Pizarro refused 
to go. Drawing a line upon the sand, he stepped across 
it and said to his men, “ Those of you who are brave enough, 
follow me.” Sixteen of the men crossed the line. The rest 
returned to Panama. For the next seven months Pizarro 
and his men suffered much from lack of food. 

46. He finds Peru. — At last a ship was sent to their aid 
from Panama. Embarking in this, the entire party sailed 
south, reached the northern coast of Peru, and landed at 
one of the cities of the Incas. Here the Spaniards found a 
people unlike any they had ever seen. They were some¬ 
what like the Aztecs, but were not so savage, and they 
did not kill war-captives. The Incas worshiped the sun. 

Leaving this place, they sailed along the coast southward 
about six hundred miles beyond the equator. Having found 
a vast and rich country for Spain, the Spaniards returned to 
Panama, and Pizarro went to Spain where he was received 
with great honor. 

47. The Incas. — Before the coming of Pizarro, the Incas, 
a half-civilized people, had ruled over a large portion of the 
western and northwestern part of South America. They 
were skillful in building roads, and they fitted together with 
great exactness the huge stones with which their buildings 
and temples were made. The Incas used the llama as a beast 
of burden and were the only people of the new world to use 
animals for this purpose. They were rich in gold and sil¬ 
ver, of which the Spaniards took great quantities. Remains 
of their temples and the gold and silver ornaments used by 
them have been found in various places. 

48. Vasquez de Ayllon. — The Spanish voyages thus far 
had not extended north of the southern part of North America. 
A Spaniard named De Ayllon [da Ah-eel-yone'], living at 


32 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


San Domingo, set out to get more slaves to work in the mines 
which he owned in Hispaniola. He fitted out two vessels 
and sailed to the northwest to visit the mainland. He first 
saw the coast of South Carolina. Upon landing he was 
treated by the natives with great kindness. The Spaniards, 
however, were cruel to them. They invited a number of 
the natives to visit their vessels, and when they were 



Ruins of First Spanish Settlement in Peru 


aboard sailed away. But the poor captives in one of 
the vessels sickened and died, and the other ship was 
wrecked. 

In 1526 De Ayllon visited the James River. The natives 
along the coast had not forgotten him and his doings. 
Shortly after the Spanish landed, the Indians invited them 
to a great feast. The Spaniards ate and drank their fill for 
a number of days. At last sleep overcame them, and as 
they slept, the Indians killed nearly all of them. De Ayllon 
escaped, but died shortly afterward. 

49. Narvaez. — The success of Cortes in Mexico led to 






EARLY DISCOVERIES 


33 


new efforts by other Spanish explorers. The governor of 
Cuba once sent a body of soldiers to Mexico to take the 
command from Cortes. The leader of this small army was 
a Spaniard named Panfilo de Narvaez (Pan'-fe-lo da 
Nar-va'-eth). 

50. He visits Florida. — In the fight with Cortes Narvaez 
was badly wounded, and taken prisoner. When he was set 
free, he returned to Spain. In 1527 he sailed from that 
country to explore and conquer Florida. After spending 
some time at San Domingo and in Cuba, he landed with about 
four hundred men and some horses, on the west coast of Flor¬ 
ida in April, 1528. He thought that Florida might be as 
rich in gold as Mexico. Ordering his small fleet to move 
along the coast, he traveled inland with some of his men. 
His cruel and treacherous treatment of the natives angered 
them, and they fought him at every point. He worked 
back to the coast, and though he spent many weary days in 
searching for them could not find his ships. 

51. All except Four Perish. — Some of his men built small 
boats, and coasted westward along the Gulf of Mexico, until 
they came to the mouth of the Mississippi River. They 
suffered severely from thirst, hunger, and hardship, dying 
one by one on the way, until only four were left. Narvaez 
was drowned, while the four that lived wandered for 
years among the Indians. In 1536, after eight years in the 
wilderness, they reached the western coast of Mexico at the 
Gulf of California. There they told some of their country¬ 
men living in an outlying settlement, that in their wander¬ 
ings, they had found seven great cities of vast wealth. They 
had seen no such cities, but had probably visited some of the 
villages of the Zuni Indians. The Zuni houses were built 
of stone and sun-dried clay, and were several stories high. 


34 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


They were called pueblos (pweb-los). The ruins of these 
villages may still be seen in the western part of New Mexico 
and in southern Arizona. 

52. The Expedition of Coronado. — Catholic priests went 
among the Indians as missionaries. They built in the wilds 
many little chapels or churches. These chapels were called 
missions. Father Mark, a priest of one of these Spanish 



A Zuni Pueblo from a Distance 


missions in Mexico, made a journey to the northeast in 
1539. His companions, after their return, said that they 
had seen one of the “seven great cities,” that Narvaez’s 
men had told about. These stories led to an expedition 
made by Coronado. 

Francisco Vasquez de Coronado (Fran-cis'-ko Vas'-keth 
da Cor'-o-na-do) was, at this time, the Spanish governor of 
a province of Mexico. He started from the Gulf of California 
with about twelve hundred men, and was gone two years. 
He found no cities, though he visited a number of pueblos. 
Traveling in a northeasterly direction, he crossed the Rocky 
Mountains and probably passed through the country now 







EARLY DISCOVERIES 


35 

known as Colorado and Kansas. It is thought that he 
went nearly as far east as the Mississippi River. 

53. Fernando de Soto. — When the voyages of Vespucius 
and Magellan showed that America was a continent barring 
the way to Asia, explorers began to search for a water passage 



through it into the Pacific Ocean. De Soto, a Spanish sol¬ 
dier and sailor, had explored the Pacific coast to see if there 
were straits connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He 
had also been a companion of Pizarro in Peru and was one 
of the Spanish soldiers on the Isthmus of Darien. After 
years of adventure he returned to Spain with great wealth, 
and in 1531 was made governor of Cuba. 


















36 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


54. He discovers the Mississippi River. — In 1539 De 

Soto sailed from Cuba to see what he might find in Florida. 
He had a fleet of ten vessels which he had brought from Spain, 
and with him were a thousand men. He took with him a 
number of horses. Landing on the west coast of Florida, 
at Tampa Bay, he sent some of his boats along the coast 
nearly to Appalachee Bay. He then moved northward and 
spent the winter in the northwest part of Florida. Early 
in the next year he marched northerly to what is now the 
northern part of Georgia. Thence he traveled southwest, 
across Alabama, to the site of the present city of Mobile. 
He then journeyed northwest and in April, 1541, reached 
the Mississippi River. Crossing the river not far from 
where Memphis now stands, he moved south along its west¬ 
ern bank. Then, turning to the west, he crossed Arkansas. 
Still moving southward, the party at length reached the 
mouth of the Red River, where in May, 1542, De Soto died. 
He was buried in the water of the great river he had dis¬ 
covered. 

By this time about half of his men had sickened and died 
or had been killed by the Indians. After spending a year 
on the west bank of the Mississippi River, those who were 
left built small vessels, sailed down the river to the Gulf, 
and thence made their way to Mexico. 

SUMMARY 

1. The closing of the overland routes to India by the Turks, about the 

middle of the fifteenth century, led to search by Portugal for an 
all-water route. 

2. Da Gama, a Portuguese navigator, discovered such a route to India 

by sailing around Africa (1497-1499). 

3. Columbus tried to find India by sailing westward, but found instead 

some islands belonging to an unknown continent. This amounted 
to his discovering the continent itself. 


De Soto’s Discovery of the Mississippi 

After the painting by W. H. Powell in the Capitol at Washington 









3« 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


4. The honor of making this great continent known to the white race 

belongs to Spain, whose queen, Isabella, furnished Columbus with 
means for the voyage. 

5. The natives of this continent were called by Columbus “Indians,” a 

name they still bear. 

6. Americus Vespucius, an Italian navigator, while employed by Portu¬ 

gal, coasted along that part of the Western continent called Brazil 
(1501-1502). The Western continent was named America because 
it was made known by Americus. 

7. Ponce de Leon visits Florida (1513). 

8. Balboa discovered the South Sea or Pacific Ocean (1513). 

9. Magellan crosses the Pacific Ocean (1520). 

10. Cortes explored and conquered Mexico (1519-1521). 

11. Pizarro invaded and conquered Peru (1524-1541). 

12. De Soto discovers the Mississippi (1541). 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. Why did it become necessary to search for an all-water route to India? 

2. What country was most active at first in this search? 

3. Who made the first all-water journey to India? 

4. To what country did Columbus first apply for aid? 

5. From what country did he secure aid? 

6 . What land did Columbus suppose that he had found? 

7. What did he call the western islands that he found? Why? 

8. What did he call the natives? 

9. Why was this continent called “America”? 

10. What was proved by Magellan’s great voyage? 

11. Did Magellan return to Spain? 

12. Who explored Mexico? When? 

13. What were the natives of that country called? Who was their king? 

14. Who discovered the “South Sea”? When? Who gave it the name, 

Pacific Ocean? 

15. Who was Pizarro? What country did he visit? 

16. What parts of America were chiefly visited by the Spanish explorers? 

17. Name three explorers who visited Florida. 

18. What Spaniard made the longest overland journey up to this time 

within what is now our country? Where did he go? 


CHAPTER II 


THE VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES OF THE ENGLISH, 

FRENCH, AND DUTCH 

I. English Explorations 

55. John and Sebastian Cabot. — When Columbus was 
trying to get aid from Spain, he sent his brother Bartholo¬ 
mew to England to see 
if Henry VII, the king 
of that nation, would help 
him. King Henry sent word 
to Columbus to come to 
England. But before Bar¬ 
tholomew got back with 
this message, his brother 
Christopher had started 
from Spain on his voyage 
of discovery. 

Up to that time all the 
great ocean voyages had 
been made by the sailors 
of either Portugal or Spain. 

King Henry wished Eng¬ 
land to have some share 
in the glory and profit 
of new-world discoveries. -So he began looking for skillful 
sailors whom he might send across the Atlantic. 

There lived at this time, at Bristol in England, two natives 



Explorations of the Cabots 
















40 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


of Venice, highly skilled in sailing. They were father and 
son, and their names were John and Sebastian Cabot. King 

Henry employed them to find India 
by sailing far to the north. They 
set sail from England in a single 
ship. In June, 1497, they came in 
sight of the shore of the Western 
continent, probably as far north 
as Labrador or Newfoundland. 
They thought that they had found 
the east coast of China. Some 
writers say that the land first 
seen by them was Cape Breton 
Island, near Nova Scotia. 

A second voyage was made in 
1498 by Sebastian Cabot. He sailed 
along the coast of our country for 
a long distance to the south. 
Some years later he made other 
voyages to this great western land. 
It was now known that the coun¬ 
try was a continent, and King 
Henry VIII sent him to seek a 
northwest passage through it or 
around it to India. On this voy¬ 
age he tried to enter what was later known as Hudson Bay. 
On the two early voyages of the Cabots, England based her 
claim to the northern and middle part of North America. 

56. Sir Francis Drake. — For nearly eighty years after 
the voyages of the Cabots nothing further was done by 
England in seeking new lands. Then England’s great navi¬ 
gator, Sir Francis Drake, was the first Englishman to sail 



Cabot Memorial Tower 
at Bristol, England 









ENGLISH EXPLORATIONS 


4i 


around the globe. When a young man, Drake had made 
voyages along the Guinea coast of Africa, as Columbus had 
done a hundred years before. 

The Netherlands, which we know as Holland, and also as 
the home of the Dutch, had been under the Spanish yoke for 
many years. In 1567 this country broke away from Spanish 
rule; this led to a war in 
which England helped the 
Dutch. During the first 
year of the war, Drake 
sailed with Sir John Haw¬ 
kins against the Spaniards 
in Mexico. In a sea battle 
off the coast of Mexico, 
near Vera Cruz, he was 
defeated by the Spanish 
and returned to England. 

He later attacked other 
Spanish vessels and de¬ 
stroyed some of them on the coasts of South America. From 
one vessel he took thirty tons of silver. From a mountain 
on the Isthmus of Panama he saw the Pacific Ocean and 
resolved to make a voyage upon it. 

57. Drake Visits the Pacific Coast of America. — He left 
England on this voyage in 1577. He passed through the 
Straits of Magellan to capture such Spanish vessels as he 
could find along the west coast of South America. He 
sailed to the north, along what is now California, and called 
the country New Albion. It is thought that he entered 
the Golden Gate to San Francisco Bay. Fearing Spanish 
war-vessels that lay in wait for him he did not return to 
England by way of the Straits of Magellan. 







42 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


58. He starts across the Pacific Ocean. — Drake started 
from San Francisco Bay to cross the Pacific Ocean. He 
meant to get home by sailing around the south end of Africa, 
as Magellan’s ship, the Victory, had done. His course took 
him to the Spice Islands, where the ships of Magellan had 
been nearly sixty years before. Thence he laid his course 
across the Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope, 
and at length reached England in 1580. 

59. England becomes the Leading Power. — In 1588 
Spain sent against England a large fleet, called the Great 
Armada. Drake was vice-admiral of the English fleet that 
was to fight it. The Spanish fleet was defeated and 
nearly destroyed. This great victory made England the 
leading sea-power of Europe, and soon led her to plant 
colonies in America. 

Before this breaking of Spanish power upon the sea, Eng¬ 
land had sent out a number of vessels to explore this conti¬ 
nent along the Atlantic coast. Sir Martin Frobisher had 
tried to find a northwest passage to Asia (1576-1578) but 
had failed, while Sir Humphrey Gilbert had visited the coast 
of Newfoundland in 1583 and claimed that country for 
England. 

60. Sir Walter Raleigh; Roanoke Island. — The first 
attempts to found an English colony in North America were 
made by Sir Walter Raleigh, who was born in England in 
1552. Raleigh obtained from the queen a grant of any 
country “not actually possessed of any Christian prince, nor 
inhabited by Christian people,” that he might discover in 
America. This grant, or charter as it was called, was made 
in 1584. 

In that year, Raleigh sent out two vessels under the 
command of Philip Amidas and Arthur Barlow. In July 


ENGLISH EXPLORATIONS 


43 


they reached the coast of what is now North Carolina and 
entered the waters of Pamlico Sound. They sailed also 
into Albemarle Sound and found Roanoke Island, which is 
in the narrow strait connecting these sounds. There they 
spent the summer. In the fall they went back to England 
and told Queen Elizabeth 
about the beautiful coun¬ 
try they had found. 

The queen named this 
land Virginia. She was so 
pleased with what Raleigh 
had done that she made 
him a knight, and so it 
happens that he is known 
as Sir Walter Raleigh. 

61. First Attempt to 
found an English Settle¬ 
ment in America. — In the 
following year, Raleigh 
tried to found a village on 
Roanoke Island. He sent 
seven ships with about two 
hundred Englishmen, of 
whom Sir Ralph Lane was 
to be governor. The ves¬ 
sels were nearly wrecked off the coast of North Carolina, 
but the island was reached early in the summer. Leaving 
the settlers there, the ships went back. 

These men were not fitted for life in a new and wild coun¬ 
try. They would not do the hard work that was needed, 
nor were they wise enough to make friends of the Indians. 
Their governor, Lane, could not make them work, and they 



Sir Walter Raleigh and his Son 



































44 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


were soon suffering from sickness and hunger. Sir Francis 
Drake happened at that time to be coasting along the shore 
in search of Spanish ships to plunder. He visited Roanoke 
Island, and, pitying the starving settlers, took them back to 
England. 

62. Second Attempt. — Raleigh sent out another company 
in 1587 in charge of John White as governor. These people 
were workmen and farmers. They meant to settle on the 
shore of Chesapeake Bay, but landed at Roanoke Island. 
White soon went to England for more men and supplies. As 
England was busy in preparing to resist the coming Spanish 
Armada, White was for some time unable to get either 
men or ships. Raleigh himself was busy, for he had to help 
to fight the Armada. He managed, however, to send two 
vessels with food and tools. These ships never reached the 
settlement. 

Three years after he had left Roanoke Island, White 
went back, but the people he had left there were gone. 
The only trace of them was the word “Croatian” carved on 
a tree. That was the name of a neighboring island. White 
wished to visit this island, but was not able to do so. The 
weather was bad, and the captain of his ship would not wait 
for him. He even threatened to leave White on the deserted 
island. The settlers were probably either killed by the 
Indians or died from hardship and hunger. Among the lost 
were White’s daughter, Mrs. Eleanor Dare, and her little child 
Virginia, the first white child born in America. 

These failures to settle Virginia taxed Raleigh’s vast 
fortune. It was too great an undertaking for one man. He 
sold his charter to a company of merchants, but for many 
years they did not try to make another settlement. 

It was said of Raleigh that he “laid the corner-stone of the 


ENGLISH EXPLORATIONS 


45 


American Republic.” Yet for over a hundred years after 
the discovery of America there were no Englishmen living 
here. 

63. Raleigh in Prison. — In 1595 Raleigh visited Guiana 
in South America. When Queen Elizabeth died, in 1603, he 
was arrested as a traitor by order of James I, who was then 
king. He was sen¬ 
tenced to death 
and confined in a 
prison known as 
the Tower of Lon¬ 
don. 

While there he 
busied himself in 
writing a “History 
of the World.” Af¬ 
ter being shut up 
for thirteen years 
he was set free 
and was sent to 
Guiana, in search 
of gold and other 
treasure. England 
was at peace with 
Spain, and he was 
ordered not to trouble the Spanish. One of his captains, 
however, with two hundred and fifty men in small boats, 
went up the Orinoco River to a Spanish settlement. They 
burnt the houses and killed the governor. Raleigh went 
back to England in 1618, but he carried no gold with him. 
The king, angry at his failure, caused Raleigh to be sent 
again to the Tower, and soon afterward he was put to death. 









46 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


II. French Explorations 

64. French Voyages of Discovery to the New World; 
John Verrazano. — After the discoveries of the Cabots but 
before the voyages of Drake, Gilbert, and other English 
explorers, France began to gain a foothold in the New 
World. Her explorers confined themselves chiefly to Nova 
Scotia and the region of the St. Lawrence and the Great 
Lakes. 

For years after the Cabots had made their voyages, the 
French, the Spanish, and the Portuguese had fished for cod¬ 
fish off the northeastern coast of North America. Until 
the sixteenth century was well advanced, however, the French 
did nothing which would give them a claim to the main¬ 
land. 

In 1524 Francis I, king of France, sent John Verrazano 
(Var-ra-tsa'-no), an Italian navigator, on a voyage of dis¬ 
covery to North America. He reached our coast near the 
mouth of the Cape Fear River. Thence he followed the 
coast northward as far as the great island now called New¬ 
foundland. On his way he entered the bay at the mouth of 
the river since called the Hudson. He also visited Narra- 
gansett Bay and one or more islands near it. On his return 
to France, in the summer of 1524, he wrote a letter to the 
king, which gave the story of his voyage and described the 
appearance, mode of life, and customs of the Indians. He 
said in this story that the lands he had found were “ never 
before seen of any man, either ancient or modern.” 

65. Jacques Cartier. — In 1534 Cartier (Car-te-a'), a 
French navigator, sailed from France to see what he could 
find in the New World. He visited Newfoundland, and 
sailed into the great gulf since called the St. Lawrence, 


FRENCH EXPLORATIONS 


47 


thinking that it was the long-sought passage to India. He 
returned to France the same year, but set out again in 
May, 1535, with three vessels. This time he went up the 
St. Lawrence River to the site of the present city of 
Montreal. Sailing down the river, he anchored his ships 
for the winter near the site of Quebec. It was a hard 
winter and many of his men sickened and died. He went 



The First View of Quebec 


back to France the next summer, taking some Indians with 
him. Because of his voyages, France claimed the country 
visited by him and all the land drained by the St. Lawrence 
River and its branches. This carried the claims of France 
to the country of the Great Lakes. 

A grant of country in the St. Lawrence region was now 
made by the king to a Frenchman, named Roberval. Car- 
tier was sent out by Roberval on a third voyage. He left 
France in May, 1541, with five vessels, and after a stormy 
voyage reached Quebec. Roberval himself was to follow later 
with ships and supplies. 

Cartier again went up the St. Lawrence River, visited what 










4 8 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


is now the island of Montreal, and traveled over the sur¬ 
rounding country for some distance beyond. The weather 
was terribly cold and his men were worn out. As Roberval 
did not come, he floated down the river and set sail for France. 
Off the coast of Newfoundland he met Roberval, who was 
in command of three ships carrying two hundred settlers. 



Thus; ist Voyage- 2d Voyage-3d Voyage 


Roberval ordered Cartier to go back to Quebec, but he 
disobeyed, and on a dark night made his escape and bore 
away for France. Roberval went on, sailed up the river, 
and started his settlement, but it was a failure. For more 
than fifty years no further attempts were made by the French 
to make settlements in the region they claimed. 

66. The Huguenots. — In 1562, French people called 
Huguenots fled from France, where they had been ill treated, 
to settle in what later was known as South Carolina. Two 













FRENCH EXPLORATIONS 


49 


years later, a party of Frenchmen tried to found a colony 
on the St. Johns River in Florida, and the following year 
more came to it. But this was Spanish territory, being the 
country that had been visited and explored by Ponce de 
Leon, Narvaez, and De Soto. The Spaniard, Menendez 
(Me-nen'-deth), marched against this French settlement in 
Florida, in 1565, and killed its people — men, women, and 



St. Augustine as founded by Menendez 


children. He then built a fort and started a settlement 
which afterward became St. Augustine, the oldest town in 
the United States. 

67. Samuel Champlain; New France. — The greatest of 
the French explorers was Samuel Champlain. He did more 
than any other man toward the settlement by the French of 
the country once called “New France,” now named Canada. 
He is known as the ‘‘Father of New France.” 

In an early voyage to this continent (1599) he visited the 
West Indies, Mexico, and the Isthmus of Panama. He was 












AMERICAN HISTORY 


50 

the first man to advise that a canal be cut across this narrow 
neck of land, which has now been done by our people. It 
was clear to him that this would give the short water route 
to India that all Europe wanted. In 1603 he made a voy¬ 
age to North America and visited the site of Quebec. Five 
years later he made a settlement there which afterward 
became one of the strongest French fortifications in our 

country. Three years be¬ 
fore, a settlement had been 
made by the French at 
Port Royal on the west 
coast of Nova Scotia, but 
it was not a lasting one. 

The Indians, in the re¬ 
gion around Quebec, were 
known as the Algonquins. 
They were at war with the 
Iroquois (E-ro-quah') In¬ 
dians who lived to the 
south in the region which 
is now New York State. 

68. Champlain attacks 
the Indians. — In 1609 
Champlain set out to at¬ 
tack the Iroquois. He entered the lake which now bears his 
name with a war party of Algonquins in canoes. Near the 
south end of the long and narrow lake he met and defeated 
a large number of Indians of the Mohawk tribe. They were 
easily defeated, being frightened at the discharge of the 
firearms which Champlain and a few of his men carried. 
They feared the noise and smoke, and could not understand 
why some of their number fell dead without being struck 



Samuel Champlain 




FRENCH EXPLORATIONS 


5i 


by anything so far as they could see. They turned and 
fled, followed by the Algonquins. Thus the great Iroquois 
were beaten. They learned later how and by whom the 
shame of running away had been put upon them; and from 
that day they hated the French. A few years later, the 
Iroquois got guils from the Dutch on the Hudson and 



The Defeat of the Iroquois on Lake Champlain 
After the drawing by Champlain, in his “Voyages.” 


learned how to use them, and then they were ready to fight 
the French, which they did for many years. 

At the time of this small but important battle in the woods 
near Lake Champlain, England had done but little to make 
good her claims to North America. She had a few starving 
settlers in Jamestown, but that was not a strong point of 
control like Quebec, and it seemed almost certain that the 
colony would be given up. The French, however, held the 
St. Lawrence, a gateway to the west, and were seeking control 







5 2 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


of the Indian passage-way for trade along Lake Champlain, 
Lake George, and the Hudson River. The Iroquois Indians 
prevented the French from coming south along this route 
and thus saved North America for the English. 


III. Dutch Explorations 

69. The Dutch in the New World. Henry Hudson. — 

While Champlain was fighting the Indians on the shores of 

Lake Champlain, Henry Hudson, 
an Englishman, in the service of 
the Dutch, explored the river 
that bears his name. 

70. Hudson employed by Hol¬ 
land.— In 1609 Holland was the 
leading commercial country in 
Europe, and Amsterdam was the 
busiest port in the world. She 
had a large trade with the East 
Indies by way of the Cape of 
Good Hope, and her merchants 
much desired a shorter water 
route for their ships to that dis¬ 
tant country. They engaged Hudson to make search for one. 

Hudson sailed from Amsterdam, April, 1609, in a vessel 
named the Half Moon. On this voyage he skirted the coast 
of Greenland and went south along the coast of North Amer¬ 
ica as far as what is now the state of Virginia. On his return 
he entered the waters now known as Delaware Bay. He 
also visited, at the mouth of a great river, the harbor now 
known as New York harbor, that Verrazano had entered long 
before. He sailed up that river, mistaking it for a strait 









DUTCH EXPLORATIONS 


53 


that would prove to be a northwest passage to India, and 
went as far as the present city of Albany. On the way he 
often landed, and his vessel was visited by Indians. He 
returned to England and sent the story of his voyage to 
his employers at Amsterdam. 

Hudson left England, in her service, on his last voyage, 
in 1610. He sailed to the northwest and discovered Hudson 
Bay. He planned to spend the winter there, but his men 



The “ Half Moon ” at the Highlands of the Hudson 
After the painting by Moran. 


would not obey him. He, with his son and seven of his 
crew, were set adrift in a small boat, and the rest of the crew 
sailed for England. The English, learning of this cruel act 
from one of the men who came back, sent a vessel to search 
for the missing men. No trace of them was ever found. 

71. Dutch Claims. — Because of this voyage of discovery 
made by Hudson, the Dutch claimed the country each 
side of the Hudson River, southwesterly to the Delaware. 
This country they called New Netherland. 

















54 


AMERICAN HISTORY 



Map of Early Voyages 






















DUTCH EXPLORATIONS 


55 


Hudson called the river he had explored the “ River of the 
Mountains." It was afterward named in his honor, Hud¬ 
son River. The Dutch called the Hudson River the North 
River, while the Delaware River was known as the South 
River. 

In 1614 a settlement was made by the Dutch on what the 
Indians called Manhattan Island. This settlement was 
the beginning of the city of New York. Another settle¬ 
ment, called Fort Orange, was made at a point about one 
hundred and forty-five miles up the river, which has grown 
to be the city of Albany. Trading posts were also established 
along the Delaware River. 

In 1621, a new company was formed in Holland called 
"The Dutch West India Company.” This company di¬ 
rected the affairs of New Netherland. 

The Dutch did not busy themselves in searching for silver 
and gold. They did not as a rule attack the Indians and 
thus make enemies of them. They wished to trade with the 
Indians and sought furs rather than gold. 

SUMMARY 

1. England based her claim to a large part of North America on the voy¬ 

ages of John and Sebastian Cabot (1497-1498). 

2. England claimed territory on the Pacific coast on account of the voyage 

of Sir Francis Drake (1577-1580). 

3. Sir Francis Drake was the first Englishman to sail around the globe. 

4. Sir Walter Raleigh, although his efforts to settle Roanoke Island failed, 

started interest in the sending of English people to the New World. 

5. The defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588) made England a leading 

world power and led her to make further efforts to make settlements 

in the New World. 

6. The French explored the region of the St. Lawrence. Cartier (1534- 

1542) and Champlain (1603-1635) were her leading explorers. 

7. Henry Hudson, in the employ of the Dutch, sailed along the coast of 

this continent from Maine to Virginia and explored the Hudson River 


56 AMERICAN HISTORY 

(1609). He explored Hudson Bay (1610), being then in service of 
England. 

8. The French settled Quebec (1608), and the Dutch, Manhattan Island 

(1614). 

9. These settlements are connected with the names of Samuel Champlain 

and Henry Hudson. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. When did England first send an expedition to this country? By whom 

was this voyage made? 

2. What countries of Europe had been active before this in sending out 

navigators? 

3. What part of this continent was visited by the Cabots? What country 

did they think they had discovered? 

4. Who was England’s greatest navigator? Why? 

5. Why were Spain and England enemies during the latter part of the six¬ 

teenth century? 

6. Did Drake, in his voyages, have any other object than discovery? 

7. What was the Spanish Armada? Against what country did the Armada 

sail? What became of it? 

8. Who was queen of England at this time? What honor did she confer 

on Drake? 

9. By whom were the first attempts made to found an English settlement 

in this country? When were these attempts made? Why were they 
unsuccessful? What became of the settlers who landed at Roanoke 
Island in 1585? What became of those who landed there in 1587? 

10. How was Raleigh treated by James I after the death of Queen Eliza¬ 

beth? 

11. Upon what errand and to what country was Raleigh sent by King James? 

Was he successful in his purpose? 

i>. How did Raleigh meet his death? Do you think he deserved his fate? 

13. What part of North America did the French explore and settle? Who 

explored a large portion of what is now Canada? Give an account 
of one of his battles with the Indians on Lake Champlain in 1609. 

14. What country of Europe became interested, at this time, in settling the 

Hudson River valley? What object did the Dutch have in sending 
settlers to this country? Where did they first settle? Was Hol¬ 
land considered an important country at this time? Why? 

15. Who explored the Hudson River for the Dutch? 


CHAPTER III 


EARLY INHABITANTS OF AMERICA 

72. The Mound Builders. — In the Ohio and Mississippi 
valleys, and in Florida and other parts of the United 
States, are curious hills and mounds. Their shape and 
appearance prove that they are not works of nature, but were 
built by man. They are of different heights, varying from 



Indian Mound in Madison Co., Illinois 

It is 99 feet high and 998 feet long, and is the largest prehistoric mound 

in the United States. 


three to ninety feet. These mounds were evidently used as 
burial places, or as places of defense. On digging into 
them, human bones have been found and also pieces of 
copper. Weapons, tools, pipes made of stone, kettles, jugs 
and other forms of pottery have been uncovered. The 
race of people that built them is known as the Mound 
Builders. 

73. The Pueblo Indians. — The people that Friar Mark 






AMERICAN HISTORY 


58 

and Coronado found in the southwestern part of the United 
States were different from the common American Indians. 
They were not so fierce as the barbarous Indians, and did 
not delight in fighting, but lived by tilling the soil. 

These natives lived in houses forming a village or “ pueblo.” 
The houses were large and generally stood upon high ground. 



Pueblo Village, Taos, N. M. 


They were built in stories, each smaller than the one below. 

* There were no doors at the ground level, and entrance was 
made through small holes or windows reached by ladders. 
When the ladders were drawn up, these houses could be used 
as forts in case of attack. Some pueblos are still to be found 
in Arizona and New Mexico. These natives were known as 
Pueblo Indians. The descendants of the Pueblo Indians 
living in those states are to-day known as the Zunis (Soon'- 
yees) and Moquis (Mo'-kees). They have long known how 
to make cloth, and tools and ornaments of copper. 

74. The Cliff Dwellers. — Other Indians, much like the 
Pueblos, but who perhaps lived before their time, were the 








EARLY INHABITANTS OF AMERICA 


59 


Cliff Dwellers. In the southwestern part of the United States 
are found deep gorges, made during many thousands of years 
by the wearing away of soil and rocks by rivers. They are 
called canons. Some of them are miles in length and hundreds 
of feet deep. On the steep sides of these canons, the Cliff 
Dwellers made their homes. They built small stone dwell¬ 
ings wherever a nook or cranny in the sides of the cliff gave 



Ruined Cliff Dwellings, Mancos Canon 


rcom for them. Remains of these houses have been found. 
Pottery in curious shapes and other household things have 
been found in them. As a race, the Cliff Dwellers have gone. 

75. The Aztecs. — The Aztecs, found by Cortes in Mex¬ 
ico, lived there for centuries before his visit to their coun¬ 
try. The Aztecs and the Incas were more nearly civilized 
than any other natives of the American continent. What 
we know of the Aztecs we have learned by a study of the 
ruins of their temples in Mexico and Yucatan, and of the 
pottery, tools, and weapons that have been found where 
they once lived. 

They made good roads, though they had no beasts of bur¬ 
den, and they also built large stone pipes through which 













6o 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


water flowed for long distances. Whatever they wished to 
take from place to place was carried by hand. Their women 
could spin and weave well enough to produce good cloth. 
They made head-dresses of bright-colored feathers. They 
also made mats, and were very skillful in the art of making 
pottery. They had axes, hatchets, and other tools made 
of copper. They made knives of a very hard kind of volcanic 



Pace of an Aztec Book 

glass known as obsidian. The weapons which they used 
were chiefly the javelin and the sword, but bows and arrows 
were not unknown to them. 

76. The Indians of North America.—The natives that the 
« 

explorers found throughout the region now known as the 
United States have been called Indians ever since Columbus 
gave them that name. They were always more savage and 
warlike than the natives of Mexico or those of the islands 
of the West Indies. They were tall and well made, and of 
cinnamon color. They had black, coarse, straight hair, 
high cheek bones, and black or dark brown eyes. Their feet 
and hands were small and well shaped. They were not as 
strong as the white men, but they were more lithe and active. 

















EARLY INHABITANTS OF AMERICA 


61 

They were tireless in the pursuit of game and in fighting their 
enemies. They suffered heat, cold, hunger and even torture 
without complaint. They remembered kindnesses, but never 
forgave or forgot an insult or an injury. 

77. Mode of Living. — Some of these Indians were savages. 
They had no fixed home, but traveled from place to place 
and lived by hunting and 
fishing. Other tribes, not 
so savage, had local homes. 

These Indians hunted, 
fished, and raised small 
crops of grain and vegeta¬ 
bles. They grew maize, 
tobacco, squashes, and 
beans. The Indian women 
did the hard work, while 
the men spent their time 
in fighting their enemies, 
or in hunting and fishing. 

The Indians lived in 
wigwams. These were Palisaded Indian Village 

made by sticking poles in Algonkin ° n AlbemarIe 

the ground in a circle, 

bending and binding their tops together, and covering this 

framework with skins and hides. A hole was left at the 
top, through which smoke might go. At the bottom of the 
wigwam, the covering was left unfastened so that it could 
serve as an entrance. 

The Iroquois Indians, living chiefly in what is now New 
York State, made a shelter that they called the “ long-house,” 
one of which was large enough for thirty to fifty families. 
The framework of these houses was made of poles and was 























62 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


covered with bark. Inside, each house was divided into 
spaces, over each of which was a hole in the roof, through 
which smoke might pass out from the fires by which the food 
was cooked. Generally, the wigwams or houses were in 
groups or villages. 

78. Government. — A group of Indians who were related 
’to some common ancestor formed a clan. A chief or sachem 



Iroquois Long ,House 

was chosen for each clan. Tht^j Women as well as t^e men 
had a vote in this choice. A number of clans formea a 
tribe. Each tribe was ruled by a council of sachems. Each 
clan was named for some bird or animal, such as eagle, turtle, 
buffalo, or wolf. A rude picture or image of this bird or 
animal was called the totem of the clan. This animal was 
thought to be sacred and might not be killed. 

79. Language. — Indians of the same clan spoke the same 
language, but among the members of a tribe there were dif¬ 
ferences in speech. There was no written language, but ideas 
were sometimes expressed in picture-writing. A picture of 
an arrow, for instance, would mean a warrior. The number 
of arrows told of the number of warriors. The way in 
which they pointed showed where a war party had gone. 
The meaning of these pictures, made upon birch bark or dried 
skin, was readily understood by the Indians. 







EARLY INHABITANTS OF AMERICA 


6 3 


80. Religious Belief. — The Indians did not worship idols 
as the Aztecs of Mexico did. They believed that after death 
the spirit of every brave would live forever in the Happy 
Hunting Ground. They believed in a Great Spirit, or Mani- 
tou, as they called him. They thought that the tempest, 



the thunder, and the lightning were signs of his wrath. To 
appease his anger they made offerings of tobacco, throwing 
it to the winds or upon the raging waters. When sick, they 
called the medicine man. They thought that he had power 
to drive out the evil spirits that caused sickness. 

Before going to battle they held a war dance, in which, 
while circling around, they boasted of their bravery, and in 
wild songs told of past victories and asked the aid of the 
Great Spirit for further success. 

They broiled meat, holding it over the fire on sharpened 
sticks. A mixture of corn and beans, boiled in stone kettles, 
made them a food, called succotash. They also ate fish 
which were caught either by spearing or by using fish-hooks 
made of bone. In winter 
they wore the skins of deer 
and the fur of other ani¬ 
mals, and moccasins of 
deerskin. The bow and 
arrow and the stone hatchet served them as weapons. The 
arrowhead was made of flint and bound to the arrowshaft 
by thongs. After the coming of the white man they quickly 
learned the use of firearms and knives. 



A Tomahawk 











64 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


81. Indian Warfare. — In warfare the Indians were cruel 
and treacherous. They never fought in the open, but skulked 
behind trees, sometimes lying in hiding for days, in order 
to strike an unexpected blow. They traveled swiftly and 
silently, to surprise the enemy by fierce and sudden attack. 
They took the scalps of those killed, and the bravery of a 



Indian and Canoe 


warrior was measured by the number of scalps taken. Some¬ 
times the Indians put their prisoners to frightful torture, 
burning them at the stake with slow fire. He was a great 
warrior who, in the agony of torture, uttered no groan 
or cry. At other times the prisoner ran for his life between 
two long lines of warriors, who struck at him with clubs and 
tomahawks as he passed. If he succeeded in getting through, 
his life was spared. Sometimes a prisoner who showed great 
bravery was adopted into the tribe of his captors. 

82. Industries. — The squaws wove baskets and mats 























































EARLY INHABITANTS OF AMERICA 


65 


and baked clay into rude forms of pottery; but perhaps the 
most useful articles made by the Indians were the birch-bark 
canoe and the snowshoe. In his canoe, the Indian traveled 
great distances. It was so light that it could be easily 
carried overland, from one river or lake to another. 

The money of the Indians was made of colored pieces of 
clam shell. These when polished and pierced were strung 


hjiih mu 

mu mrmvrrnTrr> nrrrn i Trrrr/Trn-Tr-TTrrT 

THT P‘ 1 Ti TTiTTPT HT ffl Ti r li 

irm; 

tjt 11 iTnrnrirr irTTrrur 

pi! 

m \ , nlid 1 i nijn ,i ii iij 

J IPlMIJ*; UH LLT li 1 'f 

2 

wn | 


lilt! I i 41 j I! [1111 


M 1 11 mini'll IMU 1 ii .iiII 

11 ‘ 111 til I I 

„ vT „ 

it! 

■Tin 


MM 1 J 1 |i li I nlflnj 


Til 1 1) iih ill Mini liimlil n (if 


r 

Trnnrn 

4 

ttis 

fTTiri 

1 1 ii ii fil Viil|iJI|i 

Tn ii\ ii ■ u ifii a! iffli Tm lilfiTV i 11 11a 

5 s , liitli 

i 1 

Tr^rrjfl -' 

li 


'I I 

i 1 • 1 i 1 \ 

1111J i|li) uiili 

ill 1 miilimi nitl (liiii 1 ii 1,1 

11 11 'Lilli MU 

lilTTi LLLl 



~TiJ 

in i'ii 

1 1 J J 1 1 f li 1 i HI 

nMMiiimn 1 iiutv-. . _i 


1 M ' 1 1 III' Ml 

jlL 


MWTiT. 



A Piece of Wampum 


like beads or woven into belts. When a treaty was made, 
belts of wampum, as this money was called, were exchanged 
in remembrance of the event. 

The Indians taught many of their rude arts to the whites. 
They showed them that to raise maize or Indian corn in the 
forest, the trees must be killed, in order that their leaves 
should not keep out the sunlight, so needful to the growing 
plants. This was done by cutting off the bark in a circle, 
around the trunk. This was more easily done by the 
Indian than cutting the trees down with his stone axe. 
They taught the white man how to use snowshoes, and 
how to paddle the bark canoes without upsetting. They 
showed him how to follow trails, and how to learn the 
lessons that nature teaches in the wilderness. 

83. Tribes. — The most powerful tribes east of the Mis¬ 
sissippi River were those of the Iroquois Confederacy. Ihese 
masterful Indians conquered their enemies and prevented 
the French, in the St. Lawrence River region, from pushing 
south into the country which now forms the state of New 
York. 















































66 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


The Algonquins, chiefly, held all the other territory from 
what is now Tennessee far into Canada. South of this region, 
from the Mississippi to the Atlantic coast, were the Mobil- 
ians or Maskokis. The Dakotas lived in the country west 
of the Mississippi River. These great nations were divided 
into numerous tribes. The Indians figured largely in the 
later history of this country, helping at different times both 
French and English, as those people fought each other. 

84. Present Indian Reservations. — It is said that the 
Indian population east of the Mississippi River was once 
230,000. These Indians were driven west by the line of 

white settlements, until most 
of them are now living on 
reservations, the name given 
for lands set apart for them. 
There are a number of reser¬ 
vations in the former Indian 
Territory, now a part of 
Oklahoma, upon which live 
the Cherokees, Chickasaws, 
Choctaws, Creeks, and Semi- 
noles;—these Indians having 
been removed from the Caro- 
linas, Georgia, and Florida. 
In 1886, the Apaches were 
taken from their reservations 
in Arizona and New Mexico 
and sent to the Indian Territory. 

The Sioux, or Dakotas, the largest and strongest tribe of 
Indians north of Mexico, are now living on reservations in 
South Dakota west of the Missouri River. These Indians 
once lived in the region around the west end of Lake Superior 



An Indian Chief 



EARLY INHABITANTS OF AMERICA 67 

and later in the country stretching from the Mississippi 
River to the Rocky Mountains. 

The descendants of the Indians formerly living in New 
York state are now scattered on reservations through the 
state. Four of these are near Lake Erie, one in the center 
of the state and another on the St. Lawrence River. There 
is also a small reservation held by the Shinnecock Indians 
on the east end of Long Island. 

SUMMARY 

1. Large mounds are found in various places in the United States. 

The people who built them are known as Mound Builders. 

2. Some of the mounds were undoubtedly burial places for the dead. 

Others may have been used as forts or to inclose villages. 

3. They are found largely in the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, and are of 

various sizes and shapes. 

4. The Pueblo Indians were skillful in making their peculiar houses. They 

were more civilized than the other Indians and tilled the soil. Their 
descendants are the Moquis and Zunis of the present day. 

5. Somewhat like the Pueblos were the Cliff Dwellers, whose peculiar 

dwellings were on the steep sides of gorges and river canons. They 
have passed away as a race. 

6. The most highly civilized natives of the New World were the Incas of 

Peru and the Aztecs of Mexico. 

7. The Aztecs built temples and worshiped idols. They made good 

roads and built long pipe-lines for water. They made cloth and 
were skillful in making pottery, tools, and weapons. 

8. They were conquered by the Spaniards, under Cortes, early in the six¬ 

teenth century. 

9. The North American Indians lived mainly by hunting and fishing, 

although they raised Indian corn and some vegetables. 

10. The Indians were good friends, but bitter enemies. They were cruel 

to captives, scalped their enemies, and tortured prisoners. 

11. Their spoken language consisted of various dialects. They had no 

written language. 

12. They had no beasts of burden or domestic animals except the dog, 

until the horse was introduced by the Spanish. The hard labor was 
done by the squaws. 


68 AMERICAN HISTORY 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. Who were the Mound Builders? Why were they so called? 

2. Where were these mounds found? Of what shapes were they? What 

has been discovered in them? 

3. In what part of the country were Pueblo Indians found? What kind 

of houses did they build? What crops did they grow? Are there 
any Pueblo tribes now living? 

4. Where did the Cliff Dwellers build their houses? Why did they choose 

such places for dwellings? 

5. Where did the Aztecs live? Who was their king when Cortes conquered 

Mexico? What weapons did they use? Of what materials were 
their weapons made? Were they successful as builders? What 
did they build? Besides their weapons, what articles did they 
make? 

6. At the time of the coming of the Spaniards to the mainland, what were 

the natives of the present United States called? Why were they so 
called? What was their appearance? Can you tell how a wigwam 
was made and of what materials? Describe the “long-house” of the 
Iroquois Indians. 

7. What was wampum? What was its use? Why was the canoe use¬ 

ful to the Indians in their summer travel? 

8. Upon what did the Indians depend for food? What crops did they 

raise? 

9. What was the method of Indian warfare? How did they sometimes 

treat their captives? 

10. Name a few of the leading tribes of Indians in this country. Where 

did they live? 

11. Name some of the present Indian reservations. 



Birch-bark Canoe 





















CHAPTER IV 


HOW THE SPANISH AND THE FRENCH PEOPLED AMERICA 

I. How the Spanish Peopled their Lands 

85. The first Settlers were Spanish. — The Spaniards had 
a long start in making settlements in America. About fifty 
years before Jamestown was settled there were Spaniards 
living at St. Augustine in Florida, and long before that 
they were living in the city of Mexico. The Spanish were 
at Santa Fe and along the Rio Grande years before the 
Jamestown settlers landed. Before the people of any other 
nation came to America to stay, there were Spanish in the 
West Indies, Mexico, and parts of Central and South 
America. 

86. Broad Claims of Spain. — Portugal and Spain were 
the earliest exploring nations. When search for lands in the 
western world began, they agreed to divide between them¬ 
selves any that they might find. They fixed upon a line 
which ran north and south upon the Atlantic Ocean. All 
unknown lands east of it were to go to Portugal and all west 
to Spain. They gave no thought to what other nations might 
do in finding new lands, or to what they might claim. 

North America with its islands lay west of the line, and 
for that reason, and also because Spanish explorers found it, 
Spain claimed the whole of North America as her own. 

87. Spain’s Claim Disputed. — England was not willing 
to agree to Spain’s claim, neither was France nor Holland. 


70 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Each of these nations sent men to hunt for a passage to India 
through or around North America. Each found parts of the 
continent, and each claimed that which its men had found. 

While the Spanish were in the West Indies, Mexico, Flor¬ 
ida, and the region of the lower Mississippi, and were pushing 
their way in Central and South America, Portugal was also 
making explorations. For a long time her efforts were directed 
toward reaching India by sailing around Africa. This was 
finally accomplished by Vasco da Gama. 

When Portugal employed Vespucius to search out new 
lands, she gained the country that we now call Brazil. This 
lay east of the line fixed as the boundary between lands 
to be claimed by Spain or Portugal. Brazil was thus a Por¬ 
tuguese colony and so remained for years. It afterward be¬ 
came an empire, but is now a republic. 


II. How the French Peopled America 

88. What France claimed at First. — Verrazano and Car- 
tier discovered Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and the St. Law¬ 
rence River. Hence, France claimed that country and all 
land drained by the St. Lawrence River and its branches. 
“However long and wide it may be,” said the king of France, 
“that land is ours. Frenchmen shall trade and live there; 
French towns shall grow up there, and the country shall be 
called New France.” Besides the St. Lawrence region, the 
French claimed what is now New England and the state of 
New York, but the Indians and the English kept them from 
living there. 

89. Why France did not people the Country Sooner. — 

For more than fifty years after claiming the country, France 
did little in making settlements in New France because there 


THE FRENCH IN AMERICA 71 

were wars at home among her own people. But many French¬ 
men sailed along the coast for fish, while others went into the 



Map to illustrate French Explorations 


forest for furs. Quebec was for many years an outpost from 
which French priests went forth to preach to the Indians, 
and French trappers and traders to get furs. Champlain 


























































7 2 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


himself made long trips into the wilderness, going as far west 
as Lake Huron. 

90. The Fur Business. — In those days the northern part 
of North America was the richest fur country in the world. 
The early French visitors to America were not farmers 
looking for homes. They came for furs, and wasted no time 
in seeking for gold. The Spanish and English might search 
for it, but the gold they could get for furs was enough for the 
French. The people of Europe were eager to buy at high 

prices all the American furs that might 
be brought to them. All the colonists in 
North America, except the Spaniards, 
depended more or less on the sale of furs 
for a living; but the French in Canada 
and the Dutch just south of them made 
fur-getting their main business. 

91. The French made Friends of the 
Indians. — The French claimed the coun¬ 
try that their explorers had found, and 
that their trappers and missionaries were 
traveling over, but, unlike the English 
and Spanish, they did not for many 
years send parties of emigrants to found 
colonies. Such settlements as they had 
made were trading posts, each with a 
rude fort, where Indians brought furs and listened to the teach¬ 
ings of the good priests. The English did not like the Indians, 
and did not try to make friends of them. They wanted 
open fields for farming, and cut down the forest trees to make 
them, and this made the red man angry because it spoiled 
his hunting grounds. For these reasons, as a rule, the Indians 
hated the English. But the French did not care for farming 





THE FRENCH IN AMERICA 


73 


and depended on the forest for furs. So they did no harm 
to the hunting grounds and thus kept the good will of the 
natives. 

The French trappers lived with the Indians and not a few 
married Indian women. The priests treated the red men as 
fellow-beings and strove earnestly to bring them into the 
church. No braver or more devoted 
men ever lived than the earnest priests 
of the Society of Jesus, and those of 
other orders, who toiled and died 
among the northern Indians in the 
early days of the French in America. 

92. The Algonquins and the Iro¬ 
quois. — The Indians of the St. Law¬ 
rence River region were known as 
Algonquins and were friendly to the 
French. To the south dwelt the 
Iroquois, in five tribes known as the 
Five Nations. They lived along the 
Mohawk Valley and in the northern 
part of what is now Pennsylvania and 
Ohio. They were the most powerful 
tribe of Indians in North America. 

If the French could have made friends with them they 
might have held Manhattan and the Hudson River, and the 
rest of what later became the state of New York might have 
been French instead of Dutch. The French, through the 
friendship of the Iroquois, might also have prevented the 
settlement by the English of the New England coast region. 

The Dutch, however, soon settled the Hudson River region 
and became friendly with the Iroquois. By teaching them 
the use of guns, the Dutch made them so strong that the 



A Jesuit Father 







74 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


French could never break through their country as Champlain 
had hoped to do. 

93. Nicolet. — In 1634, Jean Nicolet (Nee-ko-lay), a French 
fur-trader of Quebec, went west to Lake Michigan and into 
what is now Wisconsin. When he came back, he said he 
had seen a river that flowed south and west. He reasoned that 
it must flow down a western slope to an ocean, as the St. 
Lawrence and other rivers flowed easterly to the Atlantic. 

The French had never given up their purpose of finding a 
way across America to India. Many of them believed that 
up the St. Lawrence, through the Great Lakes, and thence 
westward by the river which Nicolet had found, was the 
long-sought way. 

94. Marquette and Joliet. — More than thirty years after 
Nicolet told his story a mission was founded by Father Mar¬ 
quette on the strait between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. 
Not far from where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are joined 
by the Strait of Mackinac, he founded another. These 
missions were then the farthest outposts of the French. As 
yet, they had not moved south to explore the country. 

Nicolet’s tale had not been forgotten in Quebec. In 1673, 
Frontenac, the governor of New France, sent a fur-trader, 
named Louis Joliet (Zhol'-yay), to find the river, and Mar¬ 
quette was asked to join in the search. Marquette and 
Joliet went westward to the Wisconsin River, as Nicolet 
had done. In their canoes the party paddled down the river 
until it led them to a very large stream flowing south. They 
let the current carry them, taking note of the country, which 
was mostly prairie. 

They came to a place where a mighty stream, the Missouri 
River, came from the west, carrying so much soil that its water 
was muddy. They passed many places where streams came 


THE FRENCH IN AMERICA 


75 


in to swell the current, some on one side and some on the 
other. From the east came a great river, the one which we 
know as the Ohio. Beyond that, they found the Arkansas 
River, flowing from the west, and they went a little farther. 



Discovery of the Mississippi by Marquette, 1673 


They were on the Mississippi, one of the great rivers of the 
world. Most important of all, they had found the greatest 
and richest region of all the world lying ready to be claimed 
by France, through their being first to see it. 

95. La Salle. — In 1673, Frontenac built Fort Frontenac 
on the northeastern shore of Lake Ontario. After the fort 
was finished he put a man named La Salle in command of it. 
Like most French posts, this was easily reached by Indians 
with their packs of furs. La Salle, who could speak several 
Indian languages, learned much of value from these Indians 



AMERICAN HISTORY 



and went to France to get the king’s help for a long trip 
into the middle of the continent. He came back to Fort 
Frontenac in 1678. 

96. The First and Only Voyage of the “ Griffin. ,, — The 


following year, La Salle sailed in a small boat called the Griffin 



the length of Lake Erie and 
through the narrow water¬ 
way where Detroit now 
stands. He passed north, 
into Lake Huron, through 
the Strait of Mackinac 
into Lake Michigan, and 
across that to Green Bay. 
He was now at the point 
on the western shore of 
Lake Michigan where Nic- 
olet had visited the Indians 
thirty - five years before, 
and from which Marquette 
and Joliet had set out 
when they went to find the 
Mississippi. From Green 
Bay the Griffin was sent 
back to the eastern end of 
Lake Erie with a cargo of 
furs bought from the Indians. She was to deliver the furs 
and return to Green Bay with supplies. 

Instead of following the course taken by Nicolet and Joliet, 
La Salle and his party took canoes at Green Bay and paddled to 
the southern shores of Lake Michigan. They went westward 
around the south end of this lake and, reaching a branch of the 
Illinois River, followed it until it led them into that stream. 





























THE FRENCH IN AMERICA 


77 


97. Fort Crevecoeur.— At a point a little more than a hun¬ 
dred miles from Lake Michigan they came to a broad widen¬ 
ing of the Illinois River, and built a fort there which they called 
Fort Crevecoeur. They were far from home and knew not 
when or how they should return. 

They waited here for news of the return of the Griffin , but 
none came. After a while, La Salle and a few men set out 



Building the “ Griffin ” 


to look for her. They struck across the country to Lake 
Michigan and went east by short cut to the west end of 
Lake Erie. From this point they paddled in canoes the 
length of the Lake, but could learn nothing of the Griffin. 
She was lost; but how, when or where, has never been 
known. 

With a party of Frenchmen and Indians, La Salle now 
returned to Fort Crevecoeur, but found it in ruins. The 
vengeful Iroquois had traveled hundreds of miles to reach 
the fort, had destroyed it, and killed or driven away the 








78 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


men. When La Salle reached Green Bay he found there 
those who had escaped. 

98. La Salle reaches the Mouth of the Mississippi River. 

— In 1682, La Salle was again searching for the Mississippi 
Valley. This time he reached the great stream and followed 
it beyond where Marquette and Joliet had gone, to the salt 
water of the Gulf of Mexico. 

Regardless of the claims of the Spanish to this country, 
La Salle planted a cross, nailed to it the arms of France and 
declared that all the land drained by the Mississippi and its 
branches, east and west, belonged to France. To the great 
domain he gave the name of his king, Louis XIV, and called 
it Louisiana. France now claimed the greatest and most 
valuable part of North America. 

The French were not content to search out the course of the 
Mississippi to the south. In 1680, Father Hennepin was sent 
by La Salle to follow its windings northward to its source. 
He went up as far as boats could go, stopping only when he 
reached a great waterfall which he named the Falls of St. 
Anthony. In later years, the large cities of Minneapolis 
and St. Paul have grown up there, and the water power 
of the falls is now used for making many thousand barrels 
of flour every day. 

99. Death of La Salle. — La Salle went to France and 
told the king what he had done. In 1684 the king directed 
him to make settlements along the coast of the Gulf of Mex¬ 
ico. He sailed with four ships and about three hundred men. 
Instead of going to the mouth of the river, the company 
landed four hundred miles to the west, on the coast of what 
is now the State of Texas, where they built a fort. A vessel 
was wrecked, and the jealous and treacherous captain of the 
ship sailed away with two others. The Indians began to 


THE FRENCH IN AMERICA 79 

murder men of the party, and soon there were only about 
fifty left. 

Anxious to reach the Mississippi and the Illinois country, 
La Salle started overland in 1687, with some of his men 
who, blaming him for their troubles, were heartsick and sul¬ 
len. On the way one of them murdered him. Thus died 



La Salle at the Mouth of the Mississippi, 1682 

the great French hero who had set France in a fair way to 
become the greatest nation in the world. 

100. King William’s War. — From causes that did not 
concern America, there was war in Europe between Eng¬ 
land and France, and the king of France thought it a good 
time to make trouble for the English in America. He ordered 
Frontenac, governor of Canada, to march against the New 
York country, which had long since passed from the Dutch 










8o 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


to the English and was now an English province. He meant 
to take it and make it French, thus separating the eastern 
English colonies from those south of New York. It was a 
good scheme, if it could be carried out. It would have given 
the French the Hudson River and the Mohawk Valley as a 
route to the west. The English had many more men in 
America than the French, but the French could call many 
Indians to the field to help them. 

Frontenac prepared to carry out his king’s plan. But 
the Iroquois Indians saw their chance and attacked Canada, 
and this kept Frontenac busy at home. Unable to send an 
army against New York, he began to send small parties of 
French and Algonquins to attack outlying English settle¬ 
ments. The savages were allowed to fight in their own way, 
and they murdered women and children whenever they could. 
The people of Schenectady, in New York, and many towns 
in New England, were victims of savage cruelty. 

The people of New York and New England fought the 
Canadians and Indians with good effect, but the war closed 
in Europe and in America in 1697, leaving things in America 
about as they had been before. 

101. The French on the Gulf of Mexico. — In 1698 a man 
named Iberville sailed from France with two ships, to plant 
colonies on the Gulf of Mexico near the mouth of the Mis¬ 
sissippi River, as La Salle had tried to do. He spent several 
months searching the coast for good places, and at last made 
a settlement at Biloxi. 

Thus, at the beginning of the eighteenth century, the 
French, by settlements on the St. Lawrence and the Great 
Lakes and on the Gulf of Mexico, claimed the land that lay 
between. 

The Spanish had only Florida and Mexico by settlement, 


THE FRENCH IN AMERICA 


81 


and some missions in what is now known as California. The 
English held by settlement the ocean slope as far as the Alle¬ 
ghany Mountains, which rose as a wall to keep them out of 
the great inside valley. 

France had the best portion. She controlled both the 
northern outlet—the St. Lawrence — and the southern — 
the Mississippi. There were no railroads in those days, 



A French Fort on the Ohio River 


nor even wagon roads worth mentioning. Travel was by 
water, and the French held the two great waterways of 
the continent. All the trade between North America and 
Europe, except that of the Atlantic slope, was in their hands. 
New France bade fair to become worth a hundred times old 
France. 

102. The French Chain of Forts. — In 1701, the French 
made a settlement on the strait that connects Lake Erie with 
Lake Huron which has since grown to be Detroit, and another 
on the Gulf of Mexico, more than a thousand miles away, 
which has grown to be the city of Mobile. They began 





















82 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


carrying out a plan to plant settlements and forts in a chain 
from Quebec to the Gulf of Mexico. Of course, these were 
to be along the waterways, since there were no other routes 
of travel in a country so new. While there was present peace 
with England, the French had no doubt that they would yet 
have to fight for their ground, and they were preparing for 
the trial of arms. 

103. Queen Anne’s War. — In Europe, King Louis XIV 
of France was plotting against England and Holland, and 
in 1702 war broke out again. King William III of England 
was dead, and in his place reigned Queen Anne. Again the 
Indians were set on by the French of Canada to ravage Eng¬ 
lish settlements in New England. Some towns in Massa¬ 
chusetts and Maine were attacked, and women and children 
were killed. Spain helped France in the contest. A fleet 
of French and Spanish ships attacked Charleston, South 
Carolina, but were driven off. The war lasted until 1713, 
and when peace was made, France gave to England Nova 
Scotia, the Hudson Bay region, and the Newfoundland 
fisheries. This war is known as Queen Anne’s War. 

For more than thirty years after Queen Anne’s War 
there was peace between the English and the French in 
America. During this time, the French were getting ready 
for another war, for they knew that in time, there would 
be one. They built a strong fortress on Cape Breton 
Island and called it Louisburg, in honor of their king. It 
was thought to be one of the strongest forts in the world 
and was important in naval warfare because of its position 
at the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It could also 
be used as a base of operations in any expeditions made 
by land against the English who at that time held the 
surrounding country. 


SUMMARY AND REVIEW 


83 


SUMMARY 

1. France founded her claims to the St. Lawrence River region on the 

voyages of Verrazano and Cartier. 

2. Champlain first got foothold in the New World for France. He founded 

Quebec, 1608. 

3. The French engaged in the fur trade. Excepting the Iroquois, they 

remained friendly with the Indians. 

4. Champlain defeated the Iroquois Indians, thus making them the ene¬ 

mies of the French. This prevented the French from making settle¬ 
ments to the south along the Hudson River. 

5. The French made explorations to the west along the country of the 

Ottawa River and the Great Lakes. 

6. Jean Nicolet traveled as far west as Lake Michigan and Wisconsin, 1634. 

7. Missions were founded on the Strait of Mackinac and Falls of St. Mary 

by Father Marquette. 

8. Father Marquette and Louis Joliet made an expedition down the Mis¬ 

sissippi River, 1673. 

9. La Salle finally reached the Gulf of Mexico, 1682. 

10. French settlements were made on the Gulf of Mexico. 

11. French settlements and forts were built along the Great Lakes. 

12. Troubles between France and England led in this country to King 

William’s War and Queen Anne’s War. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. What part of this country did France claim, owing to the voyages of 

Verrazano and Cartier? 

2. Why did not France sooner settle the regions which she had discovered 

in the New World? 

3. Who made the settlement at Quebec? When? 

4. What was the chief business of the early French settlers? 

5. Why were the Indians friendly with the French? 

6. What tribes of Indians were the enemies of the French? Why? 

7. Give an account of the journey of Jean Nicolet. Of Father Marquette 

and Louis Joliet. 

8. What other French explorer went as far south as the Gulf of Mexico? 

9. Why was his attempt to found colonies near the mouth of the Mis¬ 

sissippi unsuccessful? 

10. Tell about King William’s War. 

11. After the voyages of Marquette and La Salle, what portions of this 
country did the French claim? 

Give an account of Queen Anne’s War. 


12 . 


CHAPTER V 


HOW THE ENGLISH PEOPLED AMERICA 

104. Jamestown. — Two companies of wealthy English 
merchants got leave from King James I to start settlements 
in America. One was called the Plymouth Company and 
the other the London Company. 

The lands to be settled by the Plymouth Company lay 
along the coast from near the mouth of the Hudson River 
to the Bay of Fundy. The London Company was to make 
settlements between the mouth of the Potomac and that 
of the Cape Fear River. 

In December, 1606, the London Company sent three ships 
and one hundred and five men, under command of Captain 
Newport, to make a settlement at Roanoke Island. One 
of this company was Captain John Smith, who had seen much 
of the Old World and whose coming to the New World was a 
search for adventure. He had been an active soldier and had 
passed through many trials and dangers. 

The ships entered Chesapeake Bay and passed up a broad 
river, which the company named the James, in honor of the 
king. Giving up their purpose of settling on Roanoke Island, 
a landing was made about fifty miles from the mouth of the 
river, and a settlement was begun in May, 1607, which was 
called Jamestown. It was the first long-lived English settle¬ 
ment in America. 

A few days after landing, Newport and Smith went up the 


HOW THE ENGLISH PEOPLED AMERICA 85 

river to visit Powhatan, the chief of the Indians, living near 
its headwaters. 

105. Sickness and Death. — In June, Captain Newport 
went to England to bring more men and supplies. Before 
the summer was over one 
half of the men of James¬ 
town had sickened and 
died. The governor,Wing¬ 
field, stole the food of his 
half-fed companions and 
was getting ready to run 
away when his evil con¬ 
duct was found out. 

106. Smith has an Ad¬ 
venture. — The colonists 
were told when they left 
England that they must 
search for a passage 
through America to India. 

It seemed that a way 



Captain John Smith 

From an engraving in his “Description 
of New England.” 


might be found by following the rivers that flowed into 
the James from the west. They thought that beyond their 
sources they might find the beginnings of some that flowed 
into the sea on the western coast of America. So they sent 
Smith to find them; and with two white men and two 
Indians, he started in a canoe up the Chickahominy River, 
which ended in a swamp. 

Taking an Indian for a guide and leaving the rest of his 
party with the canoe, he went on to search for a river flowing 
west. He had gone but a short way when the Indians at¬ 
tacked him. He killed three of them, but was at last over¬ 
powered and taken prisoner. The Indians led him from 








86 


AMERICAN HISTORY 



Pocahontas Saving John Smith’s Life 

From “A General History of Virginia,” by Captain John Smith. 

London, 1626. 

brawny Indian came forward with a stone battle-ax and 
raised the weapon for the blow that was to dash out the white 
man’s brains. At that instant, Pocahontas, the chief’s 
daughter, rushed forward and throwing herself before the 
battle-ax, demanded that Smith’s life be spared. Such was 
Powhatan’s love for his child, that he granted her wish. 


village to village as a show for the women and children, 
and at last brought him to Powhatan. It was several days 
before the Indians decided to put Smith to death. 

When the time came to take his life, Smith was bound and 
placed on his back, with his head on a block of stone. A 


f p o wh a t a n cctnand r C Smith t o be h is 

f daughter F.,k;ah 0 nt ; is tryyshis lift his thankfuUnr/j 
/ton/ he •S'ubiecleti 'ig of their k.uiyS reaciej) Aiflt} 


















































HOW THE ENGLISH PEOPLED AMERICA 87 

A few weeks later the Indians let Smith go, and he went 
back to Jamestown. Soon after this Smith was made gov¬ 
ernor of the colony. 

107. More Settlers come to Jamestown.—Newport brought 
with him from England about one hundred and twenty more 
men who, like those who had come at first, would not do the 
rough work of making homes for themselves in the wilder¬ 
ness, but spent their time in a foolish hunt for gold. Smith 
then made a rule that those who would not labor should not 
eat. He made 
every man toil a 
certain number of 
hours each day. 

When food ran 
short, he got more 
from the Indians, 
and he was the 
only man in the 
settlement who 
could. More peo¬ 
ple for the colony 
were brought over by Captain Newport during this year. 
These were no better than those who had come before, 
except that among them were a few women. 

A new grant of land was made to the London Company 
in 1609. Under this grant, settlements could be made for 
two hundred miles north, and the same distance south, of 
the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. This grant gave to the 
company all the land west of the coast from sea to sea. A 
larger number of settlers were sent from England during 
this year, and Lord de la Warr (Delaware) was appointed 
governor of Virginia. 


















88 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


108. “The Starving Time.” — Before Lord Delaware 
arrived Smith, who had been hurt by an explosion of gun¬ 
powder, returned to England. He never came back to 
Jamestown, but in 1614 explored the New England coast. 
It was bad for the colony that he was away. Trouble with 
the Indians began, and corn and provisions could not be had. 
The following winter (1609-1610) is known as “the starving 
time.” When Smith left Jamestown, there were nearly 
five hundred people in the settlement. By the summer of 
the next year, sickness and hunger had brought this number 
down to about sixty. The few still alive had set out to leave 
the settlement and were on their way down the river, when 
they met the ships of Lord Delaware with men and supplies. 
They went back to Jamestown, and the settlement was 
saved. 

109. Governor Dale. — Delaware, who followed Smith as 
governor of Virginia, remained in Jamestown a few months, 
then went back to England in ill health, never to return. He 
was succeeded in 1611 by Governor Dale, who understood 
what to do. He knew that some of the settlers were of the 
worst class of people. Those that came willingly and could 
pay their way did not come to stay but to hunt for gold, 
and they expected to get it quickly and go back. Not 
finding it, they had no heart for other work and spent 
their time in idleness. Of another class were those called 
indentured servants, who could not pay their passage to 
this country and so bound themselves, in writing, called an 
indenture, to work it out after getting over. They had no 
interest in the work and were idle. Dale made them work, 
and punished those who would not. 

Not only did Dale punish the idlers, but by changing the 
rules he also helped the few who would work. Up to this 


HOW THE ENGLISH PEOPLED AMERICA 89 


time, all the food had been kept in a common storehouse, from 
which it was given out to all alike. The lazy were given just 
as much as those who worked, which caused them to shirk 
and discouraged the workers. To remedy this, each settler 
was given a farm, and he could have only what he raised. 
Men were allowed to own as much as a hundred acres of land, 
if they were able to buy it. Each man paid a small amount 
of corn to the company as a tax. 

110. Tobacco. — In 1612, John Rolfe began to raise to¬ 
bacco, which grew wild in Virginia and which was coming 
into use in Europe. He was success¬ 
ful in growing it and in selling it in 
England at good prices. Thus began 
the tobacco trade of the world. 

111. Argali kidnaps Pocahontas. 

— In spite of all that the better class 
could do, the colony came to want. 

Food was scarce, and the Indians 
were angry and threatening because 
they had been abused by the un¬ 
ruly whites in the settlement. As fj 
the whites stole from them, they 
began stealing from the whites, and Pocahontas 

soon carried off some farming tools. 

Samuel Argali, who became governor of the colony, went 
up the river with his vessel to ask Powhatan for corn and to 
demand that the tools be returned, which was refused. 
Knowing the old man’s love for his daughter, Argali formed 
a plan to kidnap her. He believed that Powhatan would 
yield for the sake of getting her back. So he hired an Indian 
to get Pocahontas to come on beard his ship, and when she 
came he sailed away with her to Jamestown, 



9 o 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


112. Marriage of Pocahontas.—As might have been 
expected, Powhatan was furious. He demanded that the 
English give her up at once, and said that he would kill 
every person at Jamestown if she were not set free. 
But when he learned that she was well treated and held in 
great respect by the Jamestown people, his anger cooled; 
and later, he was pleased when he was told that a young 
Englishman wished to marry her. The young Indian 
girl, having been baptized, was married in the church to 
John Rolfe. 

113. Better Times. — After “the starving time,” the col¬ 
ony was never in danger of being given up. A better class 
of people came, and better judgment was used in carrying 
on affairs. The colony was safe, and from this time it 
spread out and grew. 

White men had now come to North America to stay at 
five points far distant from one another. The Spanish were 
at Santa Fe and at St. Augustine; the Dutch were at the 
mouth of the Hudson; the French were on the St. Lawrence; 
and the English at Jamestown. 

114. Government by the People. — In 1619, Sir George 
Yeardley was sent from England as governor of the James¬ 
town colony, and he brought a set of rules, called a charter, 
under which he was to govern. These provided that he 
should call a few chosen men to represent the people in mak¬ 
ing laws. Two men from each of the eleven boroughs met 
with the governor and his council in the Jamestown church, 
July 30, 1619. The meeting was called the Assembly, and it 
lasted for about a week. A few laws were made, one of which 
was that all people should attend church regularly. The 
men who came from the boroughs were called Burgesses, 
and the Assembly, which was to meet every year, was called 


HOW THE ENGLISH PEOPLED AMERICA 


9i 


the House of Burgesses. This was the beginning in America 
of government by the people. 

115. Prosperity. — People liked the idea of living where 
they could govern themselves. Besides, it was now plain 
that money could be made in Virginia in growing tobacco. 
Forty thousand pounds of the leaf were now sent to England 
each year, and more was wanted. Rich men went to Vir¬ 
ginia to start great tobacco plantations. The forests were 



Jamestown in 1622 


cut down, and tobacco grew where trees had stood. The 
planters began to go to other rivers, of which there were many 
along the low coast slope. Thus the settlement spread out, 
and the colony became Virginia rather than Jamestown. 
Good government and industry had brought prosperity. In 
1622 there were four thousand, people in the colony. 

By this time women were coming, and not a little of the 
change for the better was due to them. There were, at this 
time, a hundred and fifty women in the colony, and a hundred 
and fifty English homes with English wives and mothers 
were a great force for good in the new country. 












92 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


116. Slavery. — In all the Spanish settlements there were 
slaves. In England from the very first there had been slaves, 
and so it was thought proper by the settlers in Virginia that 
they, too, should have slaves. It was hard for the planters 
to raise tobacco for want of laborers. 

The indentured servants were too few to do the work, 
and in time they would all be free, after their passage money 
was paid. Slaves that would always be slaves were wanted, 
and the colonists got them. One day in 1619, a Dutch 
ship from the coast of Africa came up the James River with a 
cargo of negroes who had been dragged away from their homes. 
Of the whole cargo only twenty were left, and these were sick 
and starving. The planters bought them for slaves. Thus 
negro slavery began in America. More ships came with 
more negroes, and soon there were slaves in all the colonies. 
By the end of the century one fourth of the human beings 
in Virginia were negro slaves. 

117. The London Company loses its Charter. — King 
James I began to watch the growth of the colony. The Lon¬ 
don Company had become rich and powerful by the trade 
in tobacco. Many of its members were in Parliament, and 
they opposed him in some of his plans. To punish them, 
he took away the charter of the company in 1624, and began 
to govern the colony himself. From that time, Virginia was 
called a royal province. While a new set of laws was being 
made, which would have taken self-government away from the 
Virginians, the king died. 

James’s son, Charles, followed him as king and was called 
Charles I. His reign was full of trouble, so that he had no 
time to carry out the purpose of his father, and thus it hap¬ 
pened that Virginia kept its self-government. 

118. Royal Governors. — In 1627 Governor Yeardley 



HOW THE ENGLISH PEOPLED AMERICA 93 


The English Country in North America 


died, and King Charles made Sir John Harvey governor. 
After having been robbed by Harvey the Virginians sent 
him home, in 1635, much to the anger of King Charles. 







94 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


The king sent him back, and he ruled until 1639. But the 
troubles at home that were to cost Charles his head had be¬ 
gun, and he dared not force Harvey upon the colonists any 
longer. He then sent Sir William Berkeley as governor in 
1641. Berkeley, like his master, was a tyrant. He held the 
lower classes in contempt, and was opposed to all that might 
tend to raise them in life. He was the enemy of schools 
and printing presses. 

119. Death of King Charles I. — King James began a 
course of tyranny in England which his son, Charles I, carried 
on after the death of his father. He tried to control the 
religion of the English people, and he taxed them beyond rea¬ 
son. The nobles and the gentry, called Cavaliers, were with 
the king, while the common people, called Puritans or Round- 
heads, were against him. At length civil war began, and the 
Puritans under Oliver Cromwell defeated the Cavaliers. 
King Charles I was tried for treason, found guilty, and be¬ 
headed in 1649. 

120. The Coming of the Cavaliers. — When the king and 

his friends were defeated in England, many of the Cavaliers 
went to Virginia, where they took great tracts of land for plan¬ 
tations and built fine mansions. They owned many slaves, 
who tilled their fields and raised the crops of tobacco which 
were sold in England. The plantations were on the river 
banks, and each had its landing, to which ships came for car¬ 
goes. Food was plentiful, but nearly all else was bought in 
England and brought in the ships that came for tobacco. 

121. The Puritans leave Virginia. — There were about a 
thousand Puritans in Virginia, and they were so oppressed 
by Berkeley that, in 1649, they went to Maryland, a new 
Catholic colony, where for a time people of all sects were well 
treated. The Puritans quarreled with the Catholic founders 


HOW THE ENGLISH PEOPLED AMERICA 95 

of the colony in after years, and growing in power secured 
the repeal of the Toleration Act, which had granted in Mary¬ 
land freedom of religious worship to all sects professing the 
Christian religion. After this, for some years, they bitterly 
persecuted the Catholics of that colony. 

122. The Time of the Commonwealth in England. — 
After the death of King Charles I there was need of a strong 



House such as the Cavaliers built in Virginia 

Westover Mansion, owned by James Byrd, who held a command 
under Bacon in Bacon’s rebellion. 


ruler for England, and the Puritans placed their great leader, 
Cromwell, in power, calling him Lord Protector. He began 
to rule in 1653 and continued in power for five years. 

He sent his agents to Virginia in 1653 to settle matters 
with the colonists. Berkeley gave up his office, and the gov¬ 
ernment was now in the hands of the Burgesses. They 
chose their own council and governor, and things went well 
with the colony, except that Catholics were persecuted, until 
1658 when Lord Baltimore was restored to the proprietorship. 









9 6 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


123. Charles II. — Cromwell died in 1658, after which 
his son ruled England for a short time, and then Charles, son 
of the Charles who had been beheaded, became King Charles 
II, in 1660. When word reached Virginia that Charles was 
king, the people knew that they must gain his favor; so the 
Burgesses at once elected Berkeley governor. Virginia was 
now under Cavalier control and times were bad for Puri- 
•tans and for those of all religious sects, except the Established 
Church of England. The House of Burgesses, made up 
of friends of Berkeley, so managed that there was no elec¬ 
tion of its members for sixteen years. In this way the people 
were cheated out of their right to have Burgesses of their 
own choosing. 

Charles II was a tyrant and a worse king than his father. 
He believed with his father and his grandfather James I, 
that the king ruled by authority of God, and that he could 
do as he pleased with the people, and that what he saw fit 
to do was none of their business. He said that their part 
of government was to pay the bills, and to do the king’s fight¬ 
ing for him, and ask no questions. He claimed that Virginia 

• « 

belonged to him to do with as he pleased. 

124. Trouble with the Indians. — As long as Powhatan 
lived, after the marriage of his daughter Pocahontas to an 
Englishman, he was the friend of the settlers, and he kept 
his Indians from doing them very serious harm. 

After the death of Powhatan in 1618, Opechancanough, his 
brother, became chief, and he felt it his duty to fight to save 
the country for his people. He made his plans with great 
care and spent four years in getting ready. The whites knew 
of no danger and allowed the Indians to come and go freely 
about their houses. The chief, when all was ready, divided 
his warriors into bands, so that an attack could be made at 


HOW THE ENGLISH PEOPLED AMERICA 


97 


the same hour on Jamestown and on all the plantations 
along the rivers. A few families who had been warned by 
friendly Indians escaped, but they had no time to warn 
others. By sunset of that day nearly four hundred men, 
women, and children had been murdered. 

After this day of murder, the English fought the Indians 
without mercy. All trade with them was stopped, and they 
were driven back farther and farther, and this went on for 
twenty-two years before the Indians made another strong 
fight. 

In 1644, they attacked some outlying settlements and 
killed about three hundred people. Again the English har¬ 
ried them, and there was skirmishing for some time, until 
the Indians, hard pressed by the English, were forced to give 
up forever their lands between the York and the James 
rivers. They went far west and north, and for the next thirty 
years there was no further trouble of this kind in Virginia. 

In 1676, the Susquehannock Indians, who lived around 
the head of Chesapeake Bay, were driven by another tribe 
as far south as the Potomac River. There they came to 
English settlements, and two of their number visited the 
English to ask for peace. They were brutally murdered. 
Enraged at this, the Susquehannocks attacked several settle¬ 
ments and destroyed them. 

125. Bacon’s Rebellion. — At length the Indians attacked 
a plantation owned by Nathaniel Bacon, a young lawyer, 
and murdered some of his servants. Angered at this, Bacon 
set out to put a stop to their deadly work. He first asked 
Governor Berkeley to allow him to act. But Berkeley re¬ 
fused and declared Bacon and his men traitors and outlaws. 
Then Bacon went to the Assembly, of which he was a 
member, and got leave to make war on the Indians. After 


9 8 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


this he went with about twenty of his men and made the 
governor consent to his plan. Though the governor had 
again declared him and his men outlaws, Bacon with about 
six hundred men killed nearly the whole tribe of Indians. 

As his force came back to Jamestown, the governor ran 
away. A little later he came back with some of his friends, 
but ran away again. Angry at the conduct of Berkeley and 
his followers, Bacon’s men set fire to Jamestown and de¬ 
stroyed it. A short time afterward Bacon was taken sick 
and died. Not long after that Berkeley was removed by 
the king. 

126. Country and Climate. — By this time the people 

had explored the country of Virginia. Rivers had been fol¬ 
lowed to their sources, and the Alleghany Mountains had 
been found. It was known that there was a system of rivers, 
running seaward across an almost level strip of land many 
miles wide. This carried off the abundant rainfall, and the 
soil, though not very rich, was fairly good. The colonists 
had grown used to the weather and knew what to expect 
as to length of season and time for planting. The climate 
was very mild and healthful, but not adapted to the growth 
of oranges, lemons, tea, coffee, and other hot climate pro¬ 
ducts. Tobacco, corn, wheat, and other grains, together with 
the common vegetables, throve well. It began to look as if 
things favored the growth in Virginia of a great branch of 
the English people. 

SUMMARY 

1. The Plymouth and London companies were formed in England by 

English merchants, 1606. 

2. Grants of land were made by James I to these companies, 1606. 

3. By a second grant or charter (1609) the land that might be settled was 

made to extend from sea to sea. 

4. The London Company sent settlers to Jamestown, May, 1607. 





Bacon defies Berkeley 

Drawing by J. E. Kelley 












IOO 

5. 

6 . 

7 - 

8 . 


9 - 

10. 


11. 

12. 

13 - 

14. 

15. 


1. 


2. 


3 - 

4 - 

5 - 

6 . 

7 - 

8 . 

9 - 

10. 


11. 


12. 

13 - 


AMERICAN HISTORY 

Captain John Smith was the most helpful man among the number. 
The successful English settlement at Jamestown was due to his energy 
and bravery. 

The colony was saved by the coming of Lord Delaware. 

Tobacco was the principal crop of the colony. 

The House of Burgesses met at Jamestown church, July 30, 1619. 
This was the first assembly of colonists in America to make its own 
laws. 

Negro slaves were brought to Virginia in 1619. 

The London Company lost its charter in 1624. 

In 1653, Oliver Cromwell became a power in England. During this 
time, 1653-1660, Virginia was ruled by the House of Burgesses. 

Sir William Berkeley was Governor of Virginia for a second time, 1660- 
1676. 

Uprisings of the Indians against the white settlers happened in 1622 and 
1644. 

Bacon’s Rebellion began in 1676, and ended in the burning of James¬ 
town. 

Soil and climate of Virginia. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

What companies were formed by English merchants to settle Virginia? 

When did the first expedition sent by the London Company leave 
England? Who was in charge of this expedition? 

What man among the first colonists was very helpful to their success? 

Who was the chief of the Indians that lived near Jamestown? 

Tell about the capture of Captain John Smith by the Indians. How 
was he saved from death? 

Tell about “The Starving Time.” 

What, at an early date, became the principal crop of Virginia? 

What was the House of Burgesses? When did it first meet? For 
what purpose? 

When did negro slavery begin in Virginia? 

Who were the Cavaliers? Why did they leave England and come to 
this country? 

Describe the two Indian massacres. 

What was the cause of Bacon’s Rebellion? 

What was the character of the country and climate of Virginia? 


CHAPTER VI 


NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY 

127. The Hudson River; The Coming of the Dutch. — 

Hudson sent word to the Dutch merchants, who had hired 
him to search for a western route to India, that he had failed. 
But he wrote to them that he had found a country in America 
where the natives had plenty of fine furs which they gave 
freely for beads and other cheap trinkets. The Dutch mer¬ 
chants at once fitted out a ship laden with such things as 
they thought would please the savages, and in 1610 sent her 
to the Hudson River for furs. The ship came back with a 
cargo of furs, and the voyage was very profitable. 

128. A Dutch Settlement. — Soon more ships were sent 
over, and as early as 1614 Dutch ships were making regular 
trips to the Hudson River. There was need of a trading 
point to which the Indians could bring furs, so at the mouth 
of the river a few buildings were put up on the island which 
the Indians called Manhattan. These were built of slabs 
split from trunks of trees, and broad pieces of bark were 
lapped over one another, for roofs. This settlement the Dutch 
called New Amsterdam. 

The French were already getting furs from the Indians 
in the St. Lawrence River country around Montreal in the 
north, and the Dutch made haste to get the fur trade in the 
Hudson River country through their trading post at Albany. 

The Dutch had traded for many years in all parts of the 
world, and they knew that it was wise to deal fairly with sav- 


102 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


ages. So, from the first, they tried to gain the friendship 
of the Indians and took care to treat them well. The red 
men soon learned where they could exchange their fur pelts 
for such things as they fancied, and the fur-buyers of Manhat¬ 
tan did a great business. From very distant points the 
Indians came bringing the skins of the mink, the fox, the 
otter, and, most important of all, the beaver. They took 
in exchange knives, hatchets, beads, buttons, looking-glasses, 
gay ribbons, and gaudy paints. 

129. Dutch Treaty with the Iroquois. — A treaty of peace, 
which proved to be very important, was made with the 
Iroquois Indians in 1617 at the present site of Albany. The 
treaty provided that the Dutch in exchange for furs should 
sell to the Iroquois guns, such as Champlain had used when 
he helped the Algonquins to defeat them. To show that 
they meant to keep peace with the Dutch, the Indians threw 
a tomahawk on the ground and stamped upon it until they 
had driven it out of sight. 

130. Importance of the Hudson River. — The Hudson 
River flowing from the north was a waterway for Indians in 
canoes, just as it now is for white men in steamboats and 
other vessels. Beyond its source lay Lake George and Lake 
Champlain. Indians came south in canoes through those 
lakes, and entering the Hudson went down that stream to 
Manhattan. Not only did they come from beyond the head¬ 
waters of the Hudson, but also from the west through the 
Mohawk Valley. By means of the Hudson River the Dutch 
got the fur trade of the surrounding country. 

It was soon thought best to have a trading place up the 
river, as well as at its mouth. The shrewd Dutch chose the 
point near where the Mohawk River enters the Hudson, 
and there they built a fort and put up houses. In those 


NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY 


103 


days there was no knowing 
what the Indians might do, 
and it was never safe to 
have a trading post with¬ 
out a fort. Both the French 
and the Dutch always built 
a fort at each trading post. 

131. Long Island Sound 
and Connecticut River. 

In 1614, a vessel was built 
at Manhattan and a Dutch 
captain, named Adrian 
Block, sailed through Long 
Island Sound and discov¬ 
ered the Connecticut River 
and some islands, one of 
which now bears his name. 
This gave the Dutch a right 
to claim the country drained 
by the Connecticut. 

They gave the name New 
Netherland to the country 
which lay along the coast 
from the Connecticut on the 
north to the Delaware on 
the south and they claimed 
this country as their own. 

132. The Dutch West 
India Company. — In 1621 
wealthy men in Holland 
formed a company to send 
out trading vessels to this 








104 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


country to buy and sell goods and make settlements. This 
company was called the Dutch West India Company. The 
government gave it full control of the New Netherland coun¬ 
try, and it began to plant settlements on the Connecticut, the 
Hudson, and the Delaware rivers. It built a fort on the 
Delaware nearly opposite where Philadelphia now stands. 

Shortly after the forming of the Dutch West India Com¬ 
pany, settlements were made near New Amsterdam. In 1623, 
a party of Walloons settled at Wallabout Bay, on the Long 
Island shore, opposite Manhattan Island. The Walloons 
were French-speaking people, who, in order to escape religious 
persecution, had fled from Belgium to Holland, whence, on 
the invitation of the West India Company, they had come to 
America. Other Dutch settlements were made later, on Long 
Island, at Gowanus and Breuckelen (Brooklyn) southwest of 
Wallabout Bay, and at the village of Bushwick, a short distance 
east of the Wallabout settlement, while Flatbush was settled 
in 1651. There were also Dutch settlements on Staten Island 
and along the Hudson River in what is now New Jersey. 

133. Peter Minuit buys Manhattan Island. — As the fur 
trade grew and the company prospered, the settlements grew, 
and the company sent over Peter Minuit as governor of New 
Netherland. From that time, as long as New Netherland 
remained subject to Holland, the company kept a governor 
at New Amsterdam. These governors, Peter Minuit, Wouter 
Van Twiller, William Kieft, and Peter Stuyvesant were 
controlled under the laws of Holland, by the directors of the 
company. 

Minuit looked over the bay, where all the ships of the world 
might lie safe from storms, and saw before him the Hudson 
River and the vast range of country whose trade it com¬ 
manded. He saw that the East River led to the trade of Long 


NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY 


!°5 


Island Sound, and to that of all the region which could be 
reached by the Connecticut River and other rivers flowing 
into the sound. It was clear to him that the company had 
a wonderful center for trade. Knowing that Manhattan 
Island would in the future be of great value, he bought it from 
the Indians. He paid them what they thought was a large 



Purchase of Manhattan Island from the Red Men 


price, giving beads, buttons, and other trifles, which cost 
the company about twenty-four dollars. 

134. The Patroons. — The directors in Holland voted to 
give great stretches of land in New Netherland to such of 
their number as chose to take them, Each one might take 
up a tract of land sixteen miles long, fronting on one side of 

any river in New Netherland, or he could take half on each 

► 

side of a river. The tract might run back from the river as 
far as the owner liked. 






io6 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Each of these landholders brought from Holland fifty per¬ 
sons to live upon his ground and till the soil. He was obliged 

to bring horses, cows, and other farm 
animals, and such farm tools as might 
be needed. The landholder was called a 
Patroon, and governed the people on his 
land. 

A number of wealthy members of the 
company came to New Netherland and 
took up great tracts of land, on the Hud¬ 
son and the Delaware rivers. By thus 
bringing in so many farmers and im¬ 
proving the country, they gave the 
colony some strength. Then began the 
cutting down of forest trees, the plant¬ 
ing of fields, and the building of good 
solid houses. 

Landed Proprietor After trial of the patroon plan for ten 

years, it was found that poor men had 
no chance to farm for themselves. Then many grants of 
small farms were made to those who could not afford to 
work large ones. This had a good effect, and the colony grew 
in numbers and in strength. 

As the years passed, the people came to dislike the rule of 
the governors sent over by the home company, and they chafed 
under the control of the patroons. In the Massachusetts 
colony, not far away, the people by vote in town meeting 
made their own laws. The people of New Netherland knew 
this, and thought that they should have the same right. 

135. War with Indians. — At one time the company sent 
over as governor a man named William Kieft. Among his 
other evil deeds, he broke faith with the Indians. When a 








NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY 107 

party of them; chased by another tribe, came to the Dutch 
for safety, he promised to protect them. Yet, when they 
were asleep at night, he let his men fall upon and brutally 
murder nearly all of the party, even the women and children. 

This horrible deed roused the Indians to revenge, and, in 
1641, they began a war upon the Dutch which lasted four 
years. Great loss of life and property followed, and the 



New Amsterdam in 1656 

From Van der Donck’s Map of New Netherland, 1656. 

cost of carrying on the war fell on the people, for which they 
blamed Governor Kieft. They said that the attack on the 
Indians should not have been made, and that there would 
have been no war if a voice in affairs had been given to them 
such as the people of Massachusetts had. At this time many 
people went away from New Amsterdam, and at length there 
were left about two hundred only. These made such com¬ 
plaints to the company in Holland, that in 1647 a new 
governor was sent to them. He was Peter Stuyvesant, a 
one-legged war veteran, the last of the Dutch governors at 
New Amsterdam. 

136. Free Religion. — The Dutch, in matters of religion, 
were a free-minded people. It was to Holland that the 








AMERICAN HISTORY 


108 

Pilgrims went from England, before they sailed for Plymouth, 
and there they were far better treated than they had been 
at home. In New Netherland the Dutch showed the same 
willingness to let people follow any religious belief that pleased 
them. For this reason, people of many sects came as immi¬ 
grants to New Amsterdam. 

In 1647 Stuyvesant allowed the people to appoint a com¬ 
mittee of nine citizens to consider public matters, though he 



The Old Wall, New York. Built in 1623. 
From “Wall Street in History,” by Mrs. Martha J. Lamb. 


did not agree to follow their advice. Little as this was, it 
was a step toward self-government such as the settlers in all 
the English colonies were enjoying. Following up this gain, 
the people pleaded with the company in Holland with such 
force that, in 1653, New Amsterdam was allowed to have 
a city government. There were now from eight hundred to 
a thousand dwellers in the town. 

It was at about this time that a wall was built across the 
island from the East River to the North River, as a defense 
against Indians or any other enemy that might attack from 
the land side. This wall was made of heavy high posts set 
closely, side by side, and building it for a town of so few 











NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY 109 

people was a great undertaking. It ran where Wall Street 
now is. The town lay between the wall and the water, 
around the point of the island. 

137. New Netherland takes New Sweden. — There was 
a colony of Swedes on the Delaware River, and Governor 
Stuyvesant wanted no colony of another nation, on land that 
was a part of New Netherland. In 1655, Sweden was at 
war in Europe and the Dutch governor of New Amsterdam 
thought it was a good time to attack the Swedish colony on 
the Delaware River. So he sent a fleet and took possession. 
He left the Swedes in peace only after they had agreed to be 
subject to the government of New Netherland. 

By this time, many of the English had moved from 
Massachusetts and settled on the Connecticut River and 
along the shores of Long Island Sound on land claimed by 
the Dutch. Stuyvesant tried to make them come under his 
rule, but they refused, and he did not think it wise to try 
to compel them. 

138. England takes New Netherland. — England claimed 
nearly all the Atlantic coast, and had settlements in both 
the northern and southern parts. 

After the downfall of Spanish sea power, Holland became 
England’s great rival for the trade of the world. The Dutch 
claimed much of the best part of North America. Their 
settlements in the New World separated those of England 
from each other, and they held the best harbor in the world. 
More than that, they had a very profitable fur trade. Such 
a state of things would never do; England must have 
an unbroken country along the Atlantic coast of America; 
England must have the fur trade; England must have New 
Netherland. So said the English king. 

England’s claim was a weak one. The Cabots in her 


no 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


employ had sailed along the coast, more than a century and a 
half before, and on that fact she based her claims. 



Peter Stuyvesant receiving the Demands of the English 

In 1664, although there was peace between England and 
Holland, King Charles II of England sent a fleet to take 
New Amsterdam. The Dutch were too weak to resist. 
Without a shot being fired, New Amsterdam and all the rest 
of New Netherland, including the Swedish settlement on 
the Delaware, fell under English rule. 














NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY 


hi 


139. New York. — This was easily brought about. Stuy- 
vesant stormed and raved; but he had been a tyrant. The 
people hated him, and they felt sure that they would be better 
off under the English than under the Dutch. They were 
quite willing that the change should be made. The Dutch 
flag came down, the English flag went up, and New Amster¬ 
dam became New York. It was so named after James, 
Duke of York, and brother of the king. King Charles II had 
given the Dutch holdings in America to James. Fort Orange, 
up the North River, was now called Albany, for James was 
Duke of Albany as well as Duke of York. The whole colony 
was called New York instead of New Netherland. 

New York, with its ten thousand people, was governed 
now by the English under the Duke of York and Albany, as 
it had been by the Dutch West India Company. He sent out 
a governor, but did not give the people much voice in affairs. 
In 1683, King Charles II appointed Thomas Dongan governor 
of the colony of New York. The Duke of York, afterwards 
King James II, consented that Governor Dongan might 
take steps for the election of a General Assembly, which, 
acting with the governor and his council, was to determine 
what laws were to be made for the government of the colony. 
The General Assembly met, and among other acts, passed 
the “Charter of Liberties,” or Dongan’s charter. It granted 
freedom in voting and in matters of religion, and provided 
that no tax should be levied upon the colonists except by the 
“People met in General Assembly,” acting with the consent 
of the governor and his council. 

When the Duke of York became James II, he revoked this 
charter, and the form of popular government, so happily be¬ 
gun, came to an end. The General Assembly was shortly 
afterward dissolved, and the government was then in the 


11 2 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


hands of Governor Dongan and his council, until he was 
recalled in 1688. The government of the colony continued 
from this time to the close of the Revolutionary War in the 
hands of Royal governors sent from England. 

In 1685 the Duke of York became King James II of Eng¬ 
land; he then attached New York to the colonies of New 
England, and appointed Edmund Andros as governor. 

140. Jacob Leisler. — In 1688 James II was driven from 
the throne and William III became king. Jacob Leisler, a 

merchant of New York, 
proclaiming that govern¬ 
ment under James II was 
at an end, seized the fort 
and declared that he would 
not surrender it except to a 
governor to be appointed by 
the new English king, Wil¬ 
liam III. The king, upon 
Jacob Leisler’s House . . . . . 

learning 01 this, appointed 

as governor of the colony an unfit man whose name was 
William Sloughter. 

In the meantime (1690) Leisler, falsely declaring that 
he had been appointed lieutenant-governor of the colony, 
became somewhat tyrannical in his conduct. The com¬ 
mander of an English ship which had arrived at New York, 
demanded the surrender of the fort in the king’s name, 
but Leisler refused to surrender to anyone except Governor 
Sloughter. An attempt was made to take the fort, and some 
on each side were killed. When Governor Sloughter arrived, 
Leisler and a few others were tried for treason and sentenced 
to be hanged. Only Leisler and his son-in-law were executed, 
and their fate was probably undeserved. 























NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY 



113 

141. John Peter Zenger and the Freedom of the Press. — 
John Peter Zenger, the editor of a newspaper published in 
New York (1734), angered Governor Cosby by printing state¬ 
ments about his unlawful acts in interfering with courts and 


The Stadthuys, New Yoke, 1679 
After Brevoort’s drawing. (“Stadthuys” is Dutch for “statehouse.”) 

judges, without the consent of the Assembly, and in thus 
depriving the people of their right to fair trials. 

In fact, Zenger attacked almost every branch of Cosby’s 
government. He was thrown into prison on charges of libel 
brought by the governor, and remained there for about eight 
months. This caused great excitement in the colony. Zenger 
was defended at his trial by Andrew Hamilton, an old but able 
Philadelphia lawyer. The defense was that what had been 
published was true, while the prosecution claimed that it 
was unlawful to publish anything against the authorities, 
true or false. After an exciting trial, Zenger was acquitted, 
and to the old Quaker lawyer, Hamilton, were given the 















AMERICAN HISTORY 


114 

greatest honors for his skilful conduct of the case, resulting, 
as it did, in establishing the right of free speech. 

After William III became king, war raged between France 
and England for seven years, and caused fighting between 
the northern English colonies and the French of Canada. 
The Canadians, with their Indian allies made trouble for 
the people of New York, but had gained no ground when 
peace was declared. 

142. New Jersey — When the English took New Neth- 
erland from the Dutch, they took the country between the 
Hudson River and the Delaware as a part of it. Up to that 
time there was no name for that country. King Charles II 
had given what is now New York and New Jersey to his 
brother James. James then granted the land which lay 
between the Hudson and the Delaware, to Carteret and 
Berkeley. One of these men had been governor of the Island 
of Jersey, part of England, and King James named the 
country that he had sold, New Jersey. 

Berkeley, one of the owners, finally sold the western part, 
his share, to some Quakers, who founded the city of Burling¬ 
ton. Five years after the founding of Burlington in West 
Jersey, East Jersey was bought by a company in which 
were many Quakers, one of whom was William Penn. 

In 1702 the owners of New Jersey gave up the colony 
to the king. Then the colony had for governor whoever 
happened to be governor of New York. But at length the 
colony had its own governor until the great rebellion 
against England, called the Revolution, succeeded, and then 
it became one of the United States. 


SUMMARY AND REVIEW 


US 


SUMMARY 

1. Henry Hudson sent word to the Dutch that he had found a part of the 

New World where furs could be found in plenty. 

2. The Dutch founded a trading post on Manhattan Island (1614). To 

this they gave the name of New Amsterdam. 

3. The Dutch made a treaty of peace with the Iroquois and were thus 

able to secure furs from them. 

4. The Dutch West India Company was formed in 1621, to settle and 

control the country extending from the Connecticut to the Delaware 
rivers. This region was called by the Dutch New Netherland. 

5. Peter Minuit, the first Dutch governor, bought Manhattan Island from 

the Indians. 

6. The Patroon system proved a failure. 

7. Peter Stuyvesant became governor of New x\msterdam in 1647. 

8. The Swedish settlement on the Delaware was taken by the Dutch in 

1655. 

9. The English took possession of New Netherland in 1664. 

10. The country between the Delaware and Hudson rivers became the 
colony of New Jersey in 1702. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. On account of what trade was the Hudson River country valuable to 

the Dutch? 

2. When did they first found a trading post? What did they call this trading 

post? Why? 

3. Why did the Dutch find it easy to trade with the Indians? 

4. Why was the Dutch West India Company formed? Over what region 

in this country was it to have control? 

5. Who was the first Dutch governor at New Amsterdam? The last? 

6. Why was the Patroon system a failure? 

7. What colony on the Delaware surrendered to the Dutch? When? 

8. When did the English take possession of New Netherland? To whom 

did Charles II grant New Netherland? What was New Amsterdam 
now called? 

9. To whom was New Jersey first granted? By whom? 


CHAPTER VII 


THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES 

143. Cape Cod. The Kennebec River Settlement. — In 

1602, Bartholomew Gosnold sailed from England to the north¬ 
ern part of the queen’s coast in America, and discovered 
a cape which he named Cape Cod. Other Englishmen went 
to that section to trade with the Indians and to catch cod¬ 
fish, so that the people of England came to know something 
about the North Virginia country. 

In the year that the London Company sent Captain 
Newport to the James River, the Plymouth Company sent 
Sir George Popham with a large band of emigrants, to the 
Kennebec River in what is now Maine. But Popham’s men 
could not stand the severe winters of the north, and they 
did not like the rocky and barren soil; so they gave up the 
settlement within a year, and went back to England. 

144. Smith explores the New England Coast. — Gosnold 
had often talked with Captain John Smith about the North 
Virginia country. Smith said that if he had a chance, he 
would go to that coast and explore it. 

After Smith had left Jamestown, he returned to this country 
and visited the coast, from Cape Cod to the Penobscot River, 
and named that region New England. In doing this, he 
followed the fashion of the time, when nations in Europe 
gave their own names to the parts of America discovered by 
them. Thus, there were New Spain, New France, New 
Netherland, New Sweden, and New England. Since then 
all these except New England have lost their old names. 


THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES 117 

1 

145. The Puritans. — In 1517 a religious movement was 
started in Europe from which sprang the forming of Protes¬ 
tant churches. Some nations, like England and Holland, 
became Protestant, while others, like France and Spain, 
remained Catholic. In France and England the people 



were divided, and there was much feeling between those of 
different beliefs. This was very true of England, where 
there were many Catholics who were disliked and persecuted 
by the Protestants. The latter formed what was called the 
Church of England. Within this church were members 
called Puritans, determined to bring about certain changes 
in forms of worship. 

At this period the kings of England were of the Church of 







































































n8 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


England, and they abused their subjects in religious mat¬ 
ters quite as much as they did in other ways. Those were 
hard days for the Catholics in England, and their persecu¬ 
tion there led them a few years later to found the colony of 
Maryland. 

146. The Separatists. — Among the Puritans were some, 
called Separatists, who had left the Church of England and 



had their own ways of worship. The anger of King James 
and his friends fell on the Separatists, and they fled from 
England. They were not wanted in any Catholic country so, 
in 1608, they went to Holland where they were well treated. 
They were living there when the Plymouth Company was 
looking for strong, hard-working men to make a colony in 
North Virginia. These Puritans on the other side of the 
North Sea in Holland, called Separatists, were a church com¬ 
pany, with their minister, fathers, mothers, and children. 

Though they were far from England, they were proud of 
being English; they loved the language and the ways of 








THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES 


IT 9 

their countrymen. It grieved them to think that they and 
their children and grandchildren were to live among the 
Dutch, and as time went on, were to lose their language and 
become as Dutch people. 

They wanted to go where they could be English, and yet 
be free from abuse by the king and his party. They had 
heard of America, and had been told of Jamestown. They 
would have gone there, but they knew that the king and 
his church ruled the colony, and that men and women there 
attended the Church of England services. They had heard 
of the Dutch settlements on the Hudson and had been 
invited to go there, but there they would be among the 
Dutch. Not that they disliked the Dutch; they knew they 
were good people, but they wanted their children to grow 
up among English people. 

They knew that the king wanted a colony in the cold 
north, and that the Plymouth Company wanted men, women, 
and children to go there. After spending twelve years in 
Holland, they went back to England to join the company of 
Pilgrims about to leave that country for the New World. 

147. The Pilgrims go to America.—The Separatist Puri¬ 
tans sailed from Plymouth, England, September 6, 1620, in a 
little ship called the Mayflower. There were one hundred 
and two in the party — men, women, and children — though 
not all were Separatists. They now began to call themselves 
Pilgrims, because they were wanderers. 

The Pilgrims meant to land not very far from the Dutch 
settlement, but they were driven out of their course and 
went to the coast of New England. Coming to a little bay 
marked on their map as Plymouth, they landed and made 
a settlement, December 22, 1620. 

December is a very cold month in New England. To come 



120 


AMERICAN HISTORY 



from the mild climate of Holland and to make a home on 
a bleak, wind-swept hillside, in the dead of a New England 
winter, with no food on shore and so little in the ship that 
the sailors needed it all, caused suffering that might well 
break the courage of the bravest soldier that ever went to 
battle. But these men, women, and children, many of whom 
were starved and ill, did this and never flinched. 


Signing the Compact in the Cabin of the “Mayflower” 

Before landing, the Pilgrims drew up and signed a set of 
rules. These rules were known as the “ Mayflower Compact.” 
It bound them to loyalty to the king and to the making of 
“ just and equal laws for the general good of the colony.” 
Thus they began with self-government, every man having 
an equal share in managing the affairs of the colony. They 
chose John Carver as governor for one year. But before 
spring came, he and his wife and son had perished from the 
awful hardship of the winter. Then William Bradford was 
elected governor. By spring more than half of the Pilgrims 
had died and those who still lived were sick and feeble. 






THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES 


121 


148. Treaty with the Indians. — Governor Carver had 
made a treaty with the Indians, and thus the colony was 
safe from the savages. The Indians, being used kindly, 
kept this treaty for fifty years. As there was less abuse 
of the Indians than there had been at Jamestown, so 
there was less need of fighting men, though Plymouth 



The “ Mayflower ” in Plymouth Harbor 
After the painting by Hallsall 


had its fighter in Myles Standish, even as Jamestown had 
in John Smith. 

The Mayflower lay in the harbor until spring, and then 
went back to England. Of all the Pilgrims that were left 
alive, not one asked to be taken back. 

In the spring an Indian, named Squanto, came to the 
Pilgrims and told them that he was nearly the last of the 
Indians who had lived in the region around Plymouth, most 
of whom had been killed by a strange disease. He had been 
kidnapped some years before and carried to Europe, but 
















122 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


had made his way back. He taught the settlers how to plant 
corn and showed them how to dig clams at the beach. The 
Pilgrims might have starved had it not been for Squanto. 
Massasoit was one of the chiefs who had made a treaty with 
Governor Carver. He was as much to them as Powhatan 
had been to the Jamestown settlers. 

149. The Pilgrims Work and Prosper. — The Plymouth 
settlers were deeply in debt for the expense of their trip, 
but they set about paying it with great vigor. The May¬ 
flower made trips bringing supplies and immigrants, and 
taking back furs, clapboards, and such other things as the 
settlers could send to help pay the debt. 

The soil was poor; they knew but little of farming, and 
their harvests were small. They suffered for food, but in 
a few years their industry showed its effect and they had 
food in plenty. In ten or twelve years there were ten or 
twelve hundred people in Plymouth. By that time more 
settlers were coming to other points on the coast not far away, 
and the settlement of New England was well started. 

150. Puritans settle Salem; Massachusetts Bay Com¬ 
pany. — The trouble in England that caused the Pilgrims to 
leave the country grew worse as the years went on. In 1625 
King James died, and his son Charles became King Charles 
I. Like his father, he believed that he was king by the will 
of God, and that Englishmen and all that they had were 
subject to his will. He was worse than his father had been, 
and the Puritan party in England, which he had cruelly per¬ 
secuted, now becoming great and powerful, opposed him. 
Among the Puritans at home were now many men of great 
wealth and high standing, who were ready to come to 
America fo escape persecution. They were not known as 
Separatists, but as Non-conformists. They would not, as 


aj 

i—i 

f 

o 

w 

t—I 

Cfl 


hd 

sj 

5' 

5' 

o? 

cr 

<< 

O 

m 

O 

-i 

55 

fS 

a 


W 

o 

c 

55 

tr 

r+ 

O 

D 


Tj 

?d 

o 

H 

PI 

O 

H 

PI 

a 

W 

kJ 

> 

K 

pi 

a 


pj 

jzS 

o 

ss 

H 

a 

pi 


< 

> 

*! 

H 

O 


n 

a 

a 












124 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


did the Pilgrims, separate entirely from the Church of Eng¬ 
land, but they refused to conform to all its methods of wor¬ 
ship. They were so pleased with the success of the Plymouth 
colony that they formed a new company, and a party, under 
a leader named Endicott, came over and settled at a place 
on the Massachusetts coast which they called Salem. 

Soon afterward, the company, with many new members, 
got from the king a charter which gave it more rights and a 
much better standing. It was now called the Massachusetts 
Bay Company. The king was very kind to the company. 
The Puritans of England were now making him feel uneasy, 
and he was glad to get as many of them as he could to leave 
England. 

151. Boston. — In 1630 a great Puritan movement to Mas¬ 
sachusetts began, and Boston was settled. As the Puritans 
kept coming, other towns were started, and soon people were 
living at many outlying points. Massachusetts began to 
fill as Virginia did in later years. By 1640 there were twenty 
thousand English people in Massachusetts. Besides the 
settlement at Boston, there were people living in the neigh¬ 
boring towns of Charlestown, Roxbury, Dorchester, Water- 
town, and in other places. All were prospering, and John 
Smith’s name for the country seemed a good one, for indeed 
a new England had sprung up in America. Under King 
Charles’s charter, the governor and other officers of the 
company could be elected in Massachusetts. The officers 
of other companies were elected or appointed by the king in 
England. John Winthrop was the first governor. 

152. The General Court. — The settlers who came to Mas¬ 
sachusetts did not come each for himself; they came as par¬ 
ties, and each started a church and a town, for itself. The 
parish and the town were one. The Puritans in Massachu- 


THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES 


125 

setts were a bigoted people. They would have no religion 
there but their own. None but Puritans were wanted, and un¬ 
less a man belonged to the church, he could not vote. The 
church was a part of the government as much as it was in Eng¬ 
land, only it was a different church. The meeting-house was 
used for both church ser¬ 
vices and town meetings, 
and the minister was a 
most important person. 

After a while, there were 
so many people and 
towns that a General 
Assembly was formed, 
much like that of Vir¬ 
ginia. It was called the 
General Court. 

153. Business.—Most 
of the soil of New Eng¬ 
land has always been 
poor. The winters are 
long, the summers short, and such farming as brought wealth 
to the settlers of Jamestown could not be done in Massachu¬ 
setts. At best, only such crops could be raised as would serve 
to feed the people of the colony. The goods sent away for 
sale were mainly salted fish and lumber. After a while the 
people started shipbuilding, and began to trade with distant 
countries. They also engaged in whale fishing. 

154. Connecticut. — Adrian Block, sailing from the Dutch 
settlement on Manhattan Island, had explored and discovered 
the Connecticut River as early as 1614 . Nearly twenty 
years later ( 1633 ) the Dutch built a fort and trading station 
on that river where Hartford now stands. This was on land 



First Town House in Boston, 1658 








126 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


claimed by the English, and to stop the Dutch from settling 
and getting control of the Connecticut Valley, a fort was 
built by Governor Winthrop at Saybrook, at the mouth 
of the Connecticut River (1635). 

In 1636 there were two parties in Massachusetts. One held 
that the government should be in the hands of a few of the 
wisest and best men, while the other claimed that the majority 
should rule, as was the plan at the start. These different views 
caused the formation of a party of about a hundred men, 
women, and children, under Minister Hooker, who led them 
west into a beautiful valley where settlements were made at 
Wethersfield, Windsor, and Hartford, on the Connecticut 
River. These three settlements comprised the Connecticut 
Colony, which in 1639 adopted a written constitution that 
provided that all the people should choose their own governor 
and council. In 1638 a colony of Puritans from England set¬ 
tled what is now New Haven. This settlement and a few 
neighboring towns were known as the New Haven Colony, 
in which only members of the church were allowed to vote. 

In a few years (1662) the Connecticut colonies united under 
the name of Connecticut and obtained from Charles II a 
very liberal charter which allowed the continuance of rule 
by the people. 

155 . Roger Williams; Rhode Island. — It was the law 

in Massachusetts that all people had to pay taxes though 
only church members could vote. There were other laws 
that seemed unfair. Among those who thought the laws 
unjust was Roger Williams, a young minister of Salem. 
Though he knew that his course would bring down on him the 
wrath of those who ruled the town, he boldly stated that the 
people and the church were wrong in many things, and that 
they ought to change the laws. He also took up the cause 



THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES 127 

of the poor Indian, and declared that taking his lands from 
him was robbery and theft. 

What Williams said about religious freedom might not 
have caused trouble, for many Puritans thought as he did. 
But what he said about the Indian and his land was very 


Roger Williams welcomed by the Indians 

likely to offend the king, who claimed that all America was 
his to give away or to sell, and the Puritans feared to stir up 
his anger. 

So, more to save themselves than to punish Williams, they 
made him leave the colony. He knew that the Narragansett 
Indians were friendly to him, and he went to them, through 
the forest in the depth of winter. In 1635, at the head of 
Narragansett Bay, he started a settlement which was the 
beginning of the colony of Rhode Island. He said that God 
had provided for him, so he named this settlement Providence. 
He built there the first Baptist church in America, 












128 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


156 . Slave Ships. — About this time the people of the 
seaport towns were building vessels. One of these, the Desire , 
built at Marblehead, went to Africa and brought back a load 
of slaves. The negroes were sold to people of New England. 
Afterward slave ships from New England ports often went 
to Africa to bring back negroes, who were sold in all the 
colonies. 

157 . Maine and New Hampshire. — About twenty years 
after Popham’s attempted settlement on the Kennebec, 
and about six years after Plymouth was settled, the country 
lying north and east of Massachusetts was granted by the 
king to two Englishmen, Mason and Gorges. They divided 
it, Mason calling his part New Hampshire and Gorges call¬ 
ing his Maine. Settlements were made at Biddeford and at 
Portland. After Gorges died, in 1677, his heirs sold Maine 
to Massachusetts. New Hampshire became a part of Mas¬ 
sachusetts and so remained until 1680, when Charles II made 
it a separate colony. 

158 . Education in New England. — The Puritans both in 
England and in America always wanted schools. In this 
they differed greatly from the English settlers in the South. 
In 1636 the General Court of Massachusetts founded a college 
at Newtown, afterward called Cambridge, to which Rev. John 
Harvard gave his library and a sum of money. From that time 
it was called Harvard College. Three years later, there was a 
printing press at Cambridge, the first in America, except that 
the Spanish, a hundred years before, had a printing press and 
newspaper in the city of Mexico. About 1639 a law was 
passed in Massachusetts that each town must have a free 
public school. This was the beginning of the great American 
free school system. 

159 . The Pequot War. — Between Narragansett Bay and 


THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES 


129 


the Hudson River dwelt three tribes of Indians, the Pequots, 
the Mohegans, and the Narragansetts. The Mohegans 
and the Narragansetts were not friendly to the powerful and 
fierce Pequots, whose home was in the eastern part of 
Connecticut. 

In 1636 the Pequots murdered a party of traders led by Cap¬ 
tain Stone of Virginia. To punish the Pequots, the Mas- 



“A Prospect of the Colledges in Cambridge in New England” 

After an early picture in the possession of the Massachusetts 

Historical Society 


sachusetts colony sent John Endicott of Salem against them 
with a fleet of five small vessels, carrying nearly a hundred 
men. The fleet made its way to the mouth of the Pequot 
River, where a landing was made. The Indians fell back, 
followed by the whites, the running fight being one of arrows 
against muskets. The Indian village of Pequot town was 
destroyed and a few Indians were killed. 

There was a fort built by the English at Saybrook, at the 
mouth of the Connecticut River, where the Indians lay in 
wait, day after day, to kill such of the small garrison as they 
could catch outside They hung about every settlement and 



































130 


AMERICAN HISTORY 



killed or captured every one who strayed within their reach. 
They also carried away all the farm animals they could get. 

Runners were sent by the Pequots to the other tribes to 
get them to unite to kill all the English in the country. If 
the other tribes had joined them, the Indians might have 
destroyed every settlement. 


Fight with the Pequots 

Connecticut raised a force of nearly a hundred men, some 
of whom were from Massachusetts. This was joined by 
some Mohegan Indians, old foes of the Pequots. Early in 
June, 1637, this force marched against the Pequots who were 
found in a fort which they had built for safety. The onset 
was made just before daylight. The English broke in, fired 
the wigwams, and shot the Indians as they rushed out. 
They killed more than four hundred — men, women, and 
children. Thus, in a day, the great Pequot tribe was 
almost entirely destroyed. This terrible example had such 









THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES 


I 3 I 

effect on all the Indians of New England that it was forty 
years before any of the tribes again made war on the whites. 

160 . The New England Confederation; Population; 
Death of King Charles I. — One of the lessons the Pequot 
War taught was that the colonies of New England must stand 
together. Other Indian wars might come. The Dutch 
might try to take the Connecticut Valley from the English 
settlers. The French might come down from Canada to 
take the whole country, which they said was theirs. 

So, in 1643, f° r their own protection, all the colonies, except 
Rhode Island, formed a union. The union did not make 
any one colony subject to any of the others. Each still had 
full control of its own affairs, but meetings were often held 
to talk over and agree upon things for the good of all. In 
New England there were then about twenty-five thousand 
people — one in five being American-born. 

This was about the time the Puritans of England rose 
in war against King Charles I. King Charles was so busy 
at home that he could not meddle with things in America. 
He gave up several plans which would have hurt the New 
England colonies. At the end of the war, he lost his life, 
and those plans were never carried out. 

161 . The Navigation Laws. — The welfare of England 
seemed to depend on her shipping business, which extended 
all over the world. As the Dutch were in the same busi¬ 
ness and were getting the ocean-carrying trade away from the 
English, Cromwell thought something should be done. In 
1651 laws were passed that none but English ships should 
be allowed to bring goods to England. This shut out the 
Dutch vessels from English trade and kept it for those of the 
English. These laws were called the Navigation Laws. 

162 . Other Bad Laws. — After Cromwell’s rule ended, 


i 3 2 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Charles II added to the Navigation Laws some new ones that 
bore very heavily on the New England colonies. Laws were 
made that forbade the colonies to send their tobacco to any 
country but England. Of course, if they could sell only to 
the English, the English would pay just what they pleased. 
The colonists soon found that they could not get enough for 
tobacco to pay for raising it. This law nearly ruined the 
planters of Virginia and made many of them enemies to the 
king. 

Another law forbade the people of the colonies to buy goods 
of any country but England. It forbade the colonies to trade 
with one another for such goods as each made. Thus the 
colonists were forced to buy from Englishmen the things that 
they must have, at any price the English chose to ask. An¬ 
other law forbade the colonists to make any articles for their 
own use, when such articles could be bought in England. 

163 . When New Netherland became New York. — In 
1664, the people of New England were pleased at the action 
of King Charles II in taking New Netherland from the Dutch. 
It put an end to the claim the Dutch had always made to the 
Connecticut River country, and it gave to England an un¬ 
broken strip of country all along the coast. The colonies of 
New England and Virginia welcomed New York as a sister 
English colony, and Englishmen began to go there, though 
the people of New York were mainly Dutch. It pleased the 
colonies when King Charles gave to some of his friends a 
vast tract of land south of Virginia, which they named Caro¬ 
lina. It began to look as though England was getting a firm 
hold on the Atlantic coast. 

164 . King Philip’s War. — The Indians who lived about 
Plymouth were the Pocanokets, by some called the Wam- 
panoags. They dwelt along the shore as far as Narragansett 



giouth 

nd $ 2o ' 

£*ce 


igjcare /M? 
WA e »lopen 


FRENCH 


; ustin e 

french 

Spanish 


ENGLISH 


DUTCH 


SWEDISH 


SPANISH 


ifcZwATUHG 9 

fflm^HSLANO 
O Columbus 
tfc "^ 1402 


SCALE OF MILES 


EUROPEAN COLONIES--ABOUT 1650 











































*34 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Bay. Very soon after the landing of the Pilgrims, the 
Wampanoags, through their chief, Massasoit, made a treaty 
with the English. Both Massasoit and the people of Plymouth 
kept the treaty for many years. 

In 1660, Massasoit, grown old and feeble, died. He left 
two sons, Wamsutta and Metacomet. The two young 
Indians, seeing how strong the English were growing, felt 
that it would be wise to be at peace with them as their father 
had been. They went to Plymouth, and Metacomet made 
a treaty with the Colonists. To show their good faith, 
they said that they would take English names, and asked 
the white men to say what they should be. The English said 
that Metacomet should be called Philip, and Wamsutta 
should be called Alexander. Alexander died soon afterward 
and Philip became chief. He made a new treaty with the 
English that the Pocanokets should be peaceful and friendly. 
But, however well Philip meant to keep his word, he could 
not control his young men. Some of them began to fight the 
English, and the war began before Philip was ready for it. 

In the spring of 1675, the little town of Swansea was at¬ 
tacked by the Indians and several men were killed. At 
once, the English rallied and marched against Philip and his 
men. The Indians fled across an arm of Narragansett Bay, 
burning and killing as they went, and made their way into 
the middle of Massachusetts. There Philip was joined by 
Indians from other tribes, and the work of destroying outly¬ 
ing settlements began. Deerfield and other little towns were 
burned, and many men, women, and children were murdered. 
As winter came on, Philip began to work back to Rhode Island 
to get the Narragansetts to join him. 

Canonchet was chief of the Narragansetts. The two 
tribes had never been very friendly. But the Mohegans 


THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES 


135 



were helping the English against Philip, and Canonchet hated 
them because, years before, they had killed his father. So 
he took sides with the Pocanokets, and the two tribes pre¬ 
pared to pass the winter and take the warpath in the spring. 


King Philip signing the treaty of 1671 
After the engraving of F. T. Merrill 

Canonchet knew of a good place to build a fort and the 
Indians went there. It was in the middle of a swamp, not 
far from the west bank of the mouth of Narragansett Bay. 
Around the camp, they built a fence of logs. Within this 
circle, more than three thousand of them built their wigwams 
and stored their corn. It was then December, 1675. The 
war had raged since early spring, but the English did not let 
the Indians rest. One bitter cold day Governor Winslow of 
Plymouth, with a thousand soldiers, attacked the fort. After 
several hours’ fighting, the fence was broken through, and the 
English rushed in. Then the battle was hand to hand. Soon 








AMERICAN HISTORY 


136 

the wigwams were on fire, and the Indians were defeated. 
About a thousand were killed, and the rest, among whom 
were Philip and Canonchet, escaped. Philip was afterward 
shot by an Indian who was helping the English. 

165 . Massachusetts loses its Charter. — Many people of 
Massachusetts did not obey the navigation laws. They 
bought and sold goods wherever they pleased. They were 
also very determined about managing their own affairs. 

King Charles II began to quarrel with Massachusetts. 
In 1684, he declared the charter of Massachusetts void, and 
thus the Massachusetts Bay Company came to its end. 
Before Charles could show what he meant to do, he died, 
and his brother James II became king. 

166 . James II and Andros. — James II at once began to 
stir up things in the colonies. In 1686, he made Sir Edmund 
Andros governor of New York, New Jersey, and the New 
England colonies, and told him to seize the charters of Con¬ 
necticut and Rhode Island. When that had been done all 
the colonies would be without charters, and King James 
could deal with them, through Andros, just as he pleased. 
Andros, however, failed to get the charter of Connecticut. 
The most he could do was to declare that the government of 
that colony was ended. 

Andros governed very harshly and unfairly, but when 
King James was driven from his throne, the people of Bos¬ 
ton put Andros in prison until they sent him to England. 

167 . Witchcraft in Salem. — In 1692, numbers of innocent 
people in Salem were charged with being witches, which meant 
that they were supposed to be under the influence of evil 
spirits. Old or deformed persons were generally accused of 
causing sickness or other misfortunes, and after a mere form 
of trial were put to death. Before this nonsense ended, 


THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES 


T 37 


nineteen people were hanged, among them a clergyman 
noted for his good deeds, 
more than eighty years 
with heavy weights. 

William III, who reigned 
after James II, was a good 
king, one of the best Eng¬ 
land ever had. He was 
just and fair, as far as he 
could be, not only to the 
people in England, but to 
those of the colonies. He 
ruled Holland as well as England, so that during his reign 
those two nations were at peace. He died in 1702, and 
“ Good Queen Anne” began her reign. During his reign 
the New England colonies prospered, and none more than 
Massachusetts, under its new charter, which united it with 
Plymouth colony and Maine. 

SUMMARY 

1. The Plymouth Company attempted to make a settlement in Maine in 

1607. This attempt ended in failure. 

2. Captain John Smith explored the New England coast from Cape Cod 

to the Penobscot River in 1614. 

3. The Pilgrims land at Plymouth in 1620. 

4. Massachusetts Bay Company settled at Salem, 1626. Boston was 

settled in 1630. 

5. The English from Massachusetts made a settlement on the Connecticut 

River at Hartford in 1636. In 1638, the Puritans settled New Haven. 

6. Roger Williams started a settlement at Providence, Rhode Island, 

1635- 

7. Maine became part of Massachusetts in 1677. 

8. The Pequot War ended in 1637, in the almost entire destruction of 

that tribe. 

9. The Navigation Laws and other harsh measures passed in England 

bore heavily upon the colonies. 


One of the victims was a man 
old, who was crushed to death 



An Old House in Salem 








138 AMERICAN HISTORY 

10. England took possession of New Netherland in 1664. 

11. King Philip’s War took place 1675-1676. By it the Pocanoket and the 

Narragansett tribes were destroyed. 

12. Charles II took away the charter of the Massachusetts Bay Company 

in 1684. 

13. Sir Edmund Andros was sent over to be governor of New York, New 

Jersey, and the New England colonies in 1686. 

14. Witchcraft in Salem. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. Was any attempt made by England to plant a settlement on our north¬ 

ern coast before the landing of the Pilgrims? What company made 
this attempt? On what part of the coast did it try to make a settle¬ 
ment? 

2. Who explored our New England coast six years before the landing of 

the Pilgrims? 

3. When did the Pilgrims first land on our shores? When were Boston 

and Salem settled? 

4. When were the settlements made in the Connecticut Valley? Where? 

By whom? 

5. Who started the first English settlement in Rhode Island? 

6. To whom was the country north and east of Massachusetts granted? 

What was this country called? When did Maine become part of 
Massachusetts? 

7. What caused the Pequot War? Give an account of it. 

8. What laws were passed in England that were unjust to the colonies? 

9. When did New Netherland become an English colony? 

10. What was the cause of King Philip’s War? Give an account of it. 

11. When did the Massachusetts Bay Company lose its charter? Why? 

12. Whom did Charles II send over as governor of the New England col¬ 

onies? 

13. What was meant by the Salem Witchcraft? 


CHAPTER VIII 


THE ENGLISH IN MARYLAND AND OTHER COLONIES 

168 . Lord Baltimore; his Newfoundland Colony. — In 

1621, King James I gave an estate in Ireland, called Baltimore, 
to George Calvert, who for this reason was called Lord Bal¬ 
timore. Two years later the king gave him a tract of land in 
Newfoundland. But as there was no use in trying to make 
a colony so far north, in 1629, Calvert wrote to James’s son, 
Charles I, who was then king, and asked for land near the 
Jamestown settlement, where the climate was mild. 

169 . An English Catholic Colony. — Calvert was a Cath¬ 
olic and had many strong friends among the Catholics of 
England, who had been persecuted in that country by the 
Protestants for many years. Charles I promised him the 
grant for which he had asked. The name of the king’s wife 
was Henrietta Maria, and in her honor the new colony was 
called Maryland. 

While Maryland was a Catholic colony, and a refuge for 
persecuted Catholics, people of all beliefs were welcome 
there. Maryland was the first English colony where people 
could follow any religion they pleased. 

The grant made to Calvert lay on the north side of the 
Potomac River, from its source to its mouth and north of a 
line extending from that point, across the bay to the ocean. 
This gave Calvert both sides of the upper half of Chesapeake 
Bay, as far north as the fortieth parallel of latitude. 

It was not until 1632, after George Calvert’s death, that 


140 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


the grant was made to his son Cecil, who was the second Lord 
Baltimore, and the first Proprietor of Maryland. 

Maryland had a government different from that of Vir¬ 
ginia, on the other side of the Potomac. Cecil Calvert was 
the owner, and he could govern as the owner of a farm could 
control things about his place. He could make laws, set up 
courts, pardon convicts, issue coins, and in all things do 
much as a king might. Such colonies were called propri¬ 


etary colonies, because 
they belonged to own¬ 
ers or proprietors. Of 
course, the owners and 
all under them were 
subject to the king. 
Calvert sent two Indian 
arrows each year to the 



A Maryland Shilling 


king, to show that he held himself to be one of the king’s 
loyal subjects. 

170 . Settlement of Maryland. — The first settlement was 
made in 1634, when two ships from England, with over three 
hundred people, sailed up Chesapeake Bay. They landed 
at a place which was called St. Mary’s. Lord Baltimore 
was not with these settlers, but in his stead he sent his 
brother, Leonard Calvert. At once, the building of houses 
and the planting of fields began. The Indians were friendly, 
for they were well treated, and the friendship was never 
broken. 

The people of Virginia were much displeased to have the 
new colony settle where it did. They claimed that the Mary¬ 
land grant took land which belonged to the Jamestown col¬ 
ony. Indeed, there were Virginia people already living within 
its bounds and trading there. James I, the father of King 










ENGLISH IN MARYLAND 


141 



^ ^6. Chari e: 

Henry 


Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey 


Charles I, had taken away the Virginia charter. Otherwise, 
the Maryland grant could not have been made; and the 
Virginians had expected to have their old charter back at the 
hands of King Charles. They now saw that there was no 
hope of getting back the Maryland country. 

171 . Claiborne’s Rebellion. — Among the Virginians was 
a planter, William Claiborne, who used to go with others to 
Kent Island, in Chesapeake Bay, to trade with the Indians. 
He had a small trading post there, and although Kent Island 
was a part of Maryland, he would not give it up. He 






142 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


declared that the Maryland people must keep away from 
that island. The Virginians and those living in Maryland 
before Baltimore’s settlers came, sided with Claiborne, and 
there was sharp fighting before the matter was settled. It 
ended in Kent Island remaining a part of Maryland under 
Baltimore’s rule. 

172 . Religious Differences. — Many Puritans driven from 
Virginia and some Church of England people went to Mary- 



Baltimore in 1752 


land and settled where the city of Annapolis now stands. 
These Puritans were very troublesome in the early days of 
Maryland. They had been sent out of Virginia because 
they would not conform to the usages and ceremonies of the 
Church of England. In Maryland they continued to stir up 
trouble by opposing the government of Lord Baltimore. In 
1649, the Toleration Act was passed, which provided for free¬ 
dom of religious worship. A few years later the Puritan 
party succeeded in securing the repeal of the Toleration Act 
and began a bitter persecution of Catholics, who were denied 









ENGLISH IN MARYLAND 


143 


the right to vote, hold office, or worship in public. In 1692, 
during the reign of King William III, the authority of the 
Church of England was established in Maryland. After the 
people of Maryland had wrangled among themselves for many 
years, King William III made the colony a royal province in 
1692. 

173. The Baltimores again; Mason and Dixon . — In 1715 , 
under the fifth Lord Baltimore, Maryland again became a 
proprietary colony and so remained until the Revolution. 
The city of Baltimore was not laid out until 1729. There 
was a dispute for many years between 
Maryland and Pennsylvania about the 
boundary line between the two colonies. 

This dispute was finally (1767) settled, 
when the boundary line between the two 
colonies was fixed by two surveyors, 

Mason and Dixon. This boundary, known 
as Mason and Dixon’s line, was about 
three hundred miles in length and later 
marked the division between the slave and 
the free states. 

Except for the many quarrels among the 
people, Maryland was always prosperous, 
for there were many waterways, and the 
climate and soil were good. The chief crops were corn 
and tobacco. 

174. The English in Pennsylvania; the Quakers.— 
While the Puritans were fighting Charles I in England, a sect 
grew up there which others called Quakers, while they called 
themselves Friends. The first Quakers were simple people 
of the lower classes, but their beliefs were such that many 
joined them. 



A Quaker of the 
17TH Century 



144 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


They were not only opposed to the ways of the Church of 
England, but were also Separatists from all churches. Because 
they thought it wrong, they would not take an oath when called 
to court as witnesses. They held that in the sight of God 
one person is just as good as another, so they would not take 
their hats off to any one, not even to the king. They would 

not go to law, even though 
wrong were done them. 
Though no braver people 
ever lived, they would not 
fight, even to defend them¬ 
selves. Their dress was 
very plain and simple. 

175 . William Penn. — 
Among the friends-of King 
Charles I was Admiral 
Penn, who had won from 
the Spanish for England the 
Island of Jamaica. He had 
a son William who at col¬ 
lege happened to meet Quakers, and became one himself. 
After that, he did not obey the rules of the college, and his 
father was very angry with him. But William Penn was 
very much in earnest, and he kept on preaching the simple 
faith of the Friends. In England thousands of them were 
thrown into prison. They began to go to the colonies in 
America. But wherever they went, they were abused. 
They were whipped, imprisoned, tortured, and sometimes 
hanged. In Boston, four Quakers were thus put to death. 
William Penn and other rich Quakers bought the western 
part of New Jersey, and made a settlement which is now the 
city of Burlington. 



William Penn at 22 




ENGLISH IN PENNSYLVANIA 


145 


176 . Pennsylvania.— Encouraged by the growth of the 
Burlington colony, Penn sought another place where a Quaker 
settlement could be planted. His father was now dead, and 
• the king owed a large sum of money to Penn, as the heir of 
the admiral. In payment Penn asked the king to give him 
a tract of land in America. The king agreed to this, and 
in 1681 gave him forty-eight thousand square miles of land, 
known as Pennsylvania. The land fronted on the Delaware 
River north of Maryland and Delaware, and ran westward 
a great distance. 



Reduced Facsimile of Part of the Royal Deed given to Penn 


Penn made a treaty with the Indians, whom he used so 
well that he never had any trouble with them. His great 
landhold was a place to which suffering Quakers could flee 
for peace and safety. In the charter of Pennsylvania, which 
he himself wrote, he declared that all men who suffered abuse 
for their religion, no matter what it was, could come there 
and be free. He was under the charter the proprietor of 
Pennsylvania, and the owner of the land, but he left the 
government to the settlers to be carried on by a council and 
assembly, chosen by themselves. 

The laws were mild and fair. One was that no one should 
make fun of another for his religious faith. Another was 
that every child should learn a trade. Indians charged with 
crimes, should be tried by jury. To make sure that there 
































146 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


would be fair play, half of the jury were to be Indians. Yet 
another was that prisons should be for the reform of criminals 
instead of mere places of punishment. 

177. Philadelphia. — In 1682, Penn chose a site for a town, 
with the Delaware on the front and the Schuylkill at the 
rear. The streets ran from river to river, crossed at right 
angles by other streets so that there were many squares. 
He named the town Philadelphia, a word which means City 
of Brotherly Love. At first the houses were rudely built, 
the better ones being of hewn logs. Many did not have houses 
during the first winter, but lived in caves dug in the high 
bank along the river. 

No other city in the colonies grew so rapidly as Phila¬ 
delphia. About thirty vessels came there the first year with 
settlers. It soon became the greatest city in English America, 
and was such for a hundred years. 

178. Germans come to Pennsylvania. — In Penn’s time, 
there were many people in Germany who, while not Quakers, 
were still very much like them in their beliefs. They knew 
Penn, for he had preached among them, and when they 
heard of his colony, they flocked to it. There was a time in 
later years when fully a third of the people of Pennsylvania 
were Germans. One company of Germans, skilled in mak¬ 
ing linen, came and settled near Philadelphia. They called 
their place Germantown. From that day, Germantown has 
been a center for cloth making. Long ago Philadelphia 
spread out and surrounded it, so that it is now a part of 
that great city. 

179. Trouble with the New King. —After James II was 
driven from the throne, Penn was charged with being friendly 
to him, and was removed as governor of Pennsylvania, but 
two years later, control was given back to him. 


ENGLISH IN DELAWARE 


*47 


Penn died in 1718, and his sons were then owners of the 
colony. They were not as just in their dealings with the 
people as their father had been, and there were many dis¬ 
putes, until Pennsylvania became one of the United States, 
and as a State bought the interests of the Penns. 



First Town Hall and Court House in Philadelphia 


180. The English in Delaware. — The first lasting settle¬ 
ments in what we know as Delaware were made by the 
Swedes in 1638. The Dutch had made a settlement seven years 
before that, but the Indians drove them away. The pres¬ 
ent city of Wilmington is the outgrowth of the Swedish set¬ 
tlement made there, which the people named, for their queen, 
Christina. They called the country about Christina, New 
Sweden, and they lived for many miles along the Delaware. 

The settlement was within the bounds of New Netherland, 
and in less than twenty years after its founding it was cap- 

















AMERICAN HISTORY 


148 

tured by the Dutch, who sent a fleet from New Amsterdam 
for that purpose. Thus the colony was under the Dutch 
from 1655 to 1664, when it was taken from the Dutch by the 
English, by order of King Charles II. 

Thenceforth it was under English control. 

As soon as it became English, there 
was strife between Maryland and Penn¬ 
sylvania as to which colony should have 
it. Penn wanted it because it would 
give to Pennsylvania a sea 
front, which was badly 
needed, while Maryland 
wanted it because it would 
square out the colony. Penn 
got it at last, mainly be¬ 
cause he was a friend of the 
king and because he could 
pay for it, and thus it be¬ 
came really a part of Penn¬ 
sylvania. Up to that time it 
had been known as the 



Map showing Early Dutch and 
Swedish Settlements 


“Three Counties on the Delaware.” Penn called it the 
“Territories of Pennsylvania.” 

After some years, the people of Delaware had something 
to say for themselves in the matter. The result was that 
Delaware had a governor of its own for a while. But in 1693, 
the little colony was again joined to Pennsylvania, and it 
remained so for ten years. Another change then made 
Delaware in part a colony by itself, though under the gover¬ 
nor of Pennsylvania. It so remained until both Pennsylvania 
and Delaware became States of our nation. 

181. The Carolinas. — South of Virginia the surface of 

















ENGLISH IN THE CAROLINAS 


149 


the land is much as it is in Virginia. There is the same 
long, low slope of soil, which continues from the rise of the 
mountains to the sea and far under it. Along the coast are 
many low islands formed by the 
action of the ocean, which carved 
them out from the sandy soil that 
had once been part of the mainland. 

Roanoke Island, where Raleigh’s col¬ 
ony failed, was one of these. 

182. Duke of Albemarle. — In 
1663, Charles II gave this area south 
of Virginia to some of his friends. 

One of them was the Duke of Albe¬ 
marle. He gave them much such 
ownership and control of the country, 
as his father years before had given 
to Calvert over Maryland, and as 
he had given to Penn over Pennsyl¬ 
vania. The name given to the Albe- An English Cavalier of 

. „ the 17TH Century 

marie grant was Carolina. 

There were some settlers in Carolina when the king gave 
it to the Duke of Albemarle and his friends, and they formed 
a colony which was called Albemarle. Soon afterward 
more colonists came and settled on the bay at the mouth of 
Cape Fear River. This settlement was called Clarendon. 

183. The Model Government. — The owners of Carolina 
tried a new plan of government which they called the Grand 
Model. A set of laws was made which put all power in the 
hands of a few nobles and left the common people little 
better than slaves. They could not vote or own land. The 
laborers living on a great plantation were not allowed to leave 
it. If the plantation was sold, they were sold with it, and had 







AMERICAN HISTORY 


150 

to obey the new owner. The whole plan was foolish and the 
people overthrew it. 

184. Charleston. — In a few years, people came from Eng¬ 
land and settled on a tongue of land between the Ashley and 
the Cooper rivers. This settlement was named for the 
king — Charles town. Years afterward, the settlement was 
moved a few miles to a better place, and the name became 
Charlestown. In our time the place is known as the city of 
Charleston. 

185. Tar, Turpentine and Other Products. — Beginning 
in Virginia, there is a strip of yellow pine forest many miles 
wide which runs through the Carolinas and across Georgia 
parallel to the coast for hundreds of miles. In the days of 
the settlement of those states, it was the most valuable pine 
forest in the world. It is there still, though it has been 
worked even to this day for lumber, tar, pitch, and turpen¬ 
tine. The early settlers found this pine forest a means of 
earning their living, and many came to the Carolinas, and 
later to Georgia, because of it. Besides the making of pine- 
tree products, the growing of tobacco was an important 
business, and after a while the raising of rice and cotton 
became the great business of Georgia and the Carolinas, as 
the growing of tobacco was of Virginia. 

186. Rice, Indigo, and Cotton. Negro Slavery. — Charles¬ 
ton has always been the leading port of the Carolinas. One 
day a ship came into that port from Africa, and the captain 
gave a friend a small lot of rice, which he had brought across 
the sea, to be planted. The soil and climate were suitable 
for raising rice, and Carolina rice has been considered the 
best in the world. Its growth has spread along the seacoast 
slope to Texas, where great quantities are grown every year. 

Nearly fifty years afterward it was found that indigo grew 


ENGLISH IN GEORGIA 


I 5 I 

well in the Carolinas, and that became a great and paying 
crop. Indigo was once one of the most valuable of dyes. 
But chemists have found how to make the dye without the 
plant, so it is no longer grown. 

Later still it was found that the low sandy islands along 
the coast, and many of the low flats of the mainland near the 
sea produced the best cotton in the world. The famous 
sea-island cotton of the Carolinas is known everywhere. 

As the people began growing rice, indigo, and cotton, there 
was need for field-workers who could stand the very hot 
weather of the Carolina summers. White men could not, 
so negroes were brought from Africa and sold as slaves. The 
slave trade was a money-making business for many years, 
and ships belonging to the ports of the colonies along the 
coast, from Salem to Charleston, brought cargo after cargo 
of them. At length, there were more negro slaves along the 
lowlands of the Carolinas than there were white people. 

In 1729, King George II bought out the owners of the col¬ 
ony and made two provinces of it, North Carolina and South 
Carolina. They remained royal provinces until about fifty 
years later they became States of our Union. 

187. The English in Georgia. — There had been for many 
years trouble between the people of the Carolinas and the 
Spanish of Florida, over claims to the country that lay 
between them, and Indian war upon the settlers had come 
from the schemes of the Spanish in the South. The king of 
England, George II, felt the need of a new colony south of 
South Carolina to keep the Spaniards from coming north, as 
the Massachus tts and New York colonies had kept the 
French from coming south. 

Times were hard in England, and her jails were full of 
men who were shut up because they could not pay their 


* 5 2 


AMERICAN HISTORY 



debts. In those days the law was very cruel to such unlucky 
people. To be thrown into jail for debt was often to be put 
into prison for life. 

188. Oglethorpe. — There was a man in England whose 
heart went out to the poor debtors. He wanted to do some- 


King’s Bench Prison, London 
A poor debtor’s prison of the eighteenth century 

thing to help them. He was a member of Parliament, and 
the king was his friend. His name was Oglethorpe. He 
said to the king that he would form a colony south of 
South Carolina to bar the Spanish. He would bring there 
such poor debtors as were set free from English jails. The 
king and Parliament favored this plan, and the colony was 
founded. The king gave the land, and Parliament gave a 
large sum of money. It was named for the king, Georgia. 
This was the last colony planted in America by the English. 








ENGLISH IN GEORGIA 


T 53 


189 . Savannah. — In 1733, a settlement was made at 
Savannah, in the heart of the country claimed by the Span¬ 
iards. Forts were built, and soon the king sent some Scotch 
Highlander soldiers to serve in them. Then Augusta was 
settled, and people began to come to other points. 

Oglethorpe was strongly opposed to drunkenness and 
slavery and he would have no liquors or slaves in Georgia. 



Early Savannah, Georgia 
From a London print dated 1741 


He said that liquor made fools of men, and that slavery robbed 
white men of a chance to work and made them idle. He knew 
how idleness had led to crime, misery, and death in Virginia 
a century before. The settlement of Georgia, like that of 
Maryland and Pennsylvania, was intended for the good of 
the oppressed and persecuted, yet no Roman Catholics were 
allowed to live in the colony. 

As Roger Williams and Calvert and Penn had done, Ogle¬ 
thorpe bought the land from the Indians and made friends 
with them. The good intent of Oglethorpe in founding his 
colony gained for it the friendship of many of the best people 
of England. 































i 54 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


190. Trouble with the Spaniards. — The Spanish of Flor¬ 
ida were not willing to give up the land which the English 
king had turned over to Oglethorpe and there was more or 
less fighting between the Georgia people and the Spanish for 
years, but at length Florida was given to England by Spain, 
at the end of the French and Indian War, and after that 
there was no more trouble of that kind. 

191. Slavery. — Oglethorpe’s plan of government, however, 
was a failure, owing to the fact that the proprietor would 
not consent to the employment" of slave labor. Settlement 
after settlement was abandoned for this reason, as white men 
could not work in the fields on account of the extreme heat. At 
length slaves were employed in the cotton and tobacco fields. 

It was noticed that mulberry trees grew in Georgia, and 
that they might make silk the settlers brought silkworms to 
feed on the leaves. Large lots of it were sent to England, 
and the queen wore a dress made of Georgia silk. But the 
people found that they could make money faster in raising 
cotton, tobacco, and rice, and silk-making was, after many 
years, given up. 

In 1752, Georgia became a province of England, and so 
remained until it became one of the United States. 

SUMMARY 

1. George Calvert, first Lord Baltimore, was granted a tract of land in 

Newfoundland in 1623 by James I. 

2. Calvert later (1629) asked Charles I for a grant of land near Jamestown. 

This was made (1632), and his son Cecil Calvert, second Lord Balti¬ 
more, sent colonists to Chesapeake Bay in 1634. They founded the 
colony of Maryland. 

3. William Claiborne interfered with the Maryland colonists by claiming 

Kent Island, which was within the limits of the colony. 

4. The colony of Pennsylvania was started by settlers who were sent over 

by William Penn. The colonists started the building of Philadelphia 
in 1682. 


SUMMARY AND REVIEW 


155 


5. The Swedes settled Delaware in 1638. 

6. The land south of Virginia was granted to the Duke of Albemarle and 

others by King Charles II in 1663. This tract was called Carolina. 

7. North and South Carolina were made two separate provinces in 1729. 

8. Georgia was settled in 1732. 


QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 


1. To whom was a grant of land in Newfoundland made in 1623? By 

whom? 

2. When did English colonists land in Chesapeake Bay to found what is 

now Maryland? To whom was this grant made? By whom? 

3. Give an account of Claiborne’s Rebellion. 

4. When was the colony of Pennsylvania started? By whom? When did 

the colonists begin to build the city of Philadelphia? In what sect 
was William Penn interested? 

5. By whom was Delaware first permanently settled? When? Who con¬ 

quered the Swedes? How long did the Dutch hold Delaware? Who 
gained control after the Dutch? 

6. When was the grant of Carolina made? By whom? 

7. When were North and South Carolina formed as two separate provinces? 

8. What was the last colony to be established? Who was its founder? 

Why was Oglethorpe’s plan of government a failure? 



James Edward Oglethorpe 
After the painting by Ravenet 


CHAPTER IX 


ENGLISH AMERICA AND HOW IT WAS HELD 

192. Early English Settlers kept to the Coast. — For many 
years England cared little about the country far back from 
the coast. There was good land there and plenty of forests, 
and mines might be found in the mountains. It was well 
known where the Alleghany Mountains were. But there 
were no roads by which to get goods out, so of what use 
was it to go far back from the sea into the mountains, or 
beyond them, to raise crops or dig iron or make lumber? 

Thus it was that, in 1689, the English had on the Atlan¬ 
tic slope of the Alleghany Mountains more than enough 
land for their needs and they were making use of only the 
part near the coast. They would have built mills at the 
falls, but the home laws that forbade the making of goods 
in America prevented such enterprise. Ports from which to 
send out vessels, and land to till for crops to load the ves¬ 
sels, were all of America that the English settlers could use 
as yet. If a colonist traveled west, he first toiled over the 
mountains and then went down the farther slope, into a 
beautiful country. The French claimed that region. The 
English saw, however, that in time to come the land beyond 
the mountains might support a great English people, and they 
meant to keep it. 

193. King George’s War.—After Queen Anne’s death there 
was a line of kings of England, who were German. George 
I was followed by George II. So thoroughly German were 


HOW ENGLISH AMERICA WAS HELD 


T 57 


they that neither of them could speak good English. During 
the reign of King George II, in 1744, war with the French 
again broke out. Again the French set the Indians on the 
English settlers, many of whom they murdered. Roused to 
fury by these murders by Indians led by French officers, the 



A Pioneer House in Kentucky 


New Englanders again attacked the French, and this time 
they took Louisburg, which the French thought would with¬ 
stand the world. At the close of the war, England gave it 
back to France by the treaty of 1748. The siege of Louis¬ 
burg taught the English colonists to fight, and to know 
that they could fight — things which afterward became 
important. 

194. English America at the Close of King George’s War. 

— By this time the settlers had spread out from the Atlantic 
coast to the head waters of the rivers. They had not gone 
far away from the streams, for the boat was the great means 
of travel. There were as yet few roads. Some rovers had 
crossed the mountains, but not many. There were a few 























































AMERICAN HISTORY 


158 

settlers in what is now Kentucky and Tennessee. There 
were about a million and a quarter of people in the settle¬ 
ments, two thirds of whom came from England, Ireland, 
and Scotland. One fifth of the people were negro slaves, 
most of whom lived south of Pennsylvania. While the 
colonies were British only, three fourths of the white people 
in them were British. The rest were Germans, French, 
Dutch, Swedes, and Negroes. 

There was not much travel between the colonies, hence 
the people of each knew but little about the others. The 
colonies were somewhat jealous of one another, perhaps be¬ 
cause of this lack of acquaintance. 

195. Industries. — The New England forests were full of 
excellent ship timber, and the coast had many fine harbors, 
so the people there were largely engaged in shipbuilding. 
Their vessels were useful for trade with the West Indies 
and other lands. They shipped a great deal of lumber. 
White pine, of the best grade, was then plentiful from 
Rhode Island to Maine. The best white pine trees were 
reserved by the English government for masts for the 
royal navy. 

A day’s work was from sunrise to sunset, and often in win¬ 
ter more than that. Wages were very low, not more than 
one fourth as high as they now are for shorter days of work. 

There were tanneries in New England for making leather, 
and distilleries for making rum. Molasses from the West 
Indies was made into rum, which was sent to Africa and 
exchanged for negroes. The negroes were sold as slaves in 
the colonies and in the West Indies. The slave trade was 
a money-making business in those days. Nearly every¬ 
body North and South, except the Quakers, thought slavery 
was right. 


HOW ENGLISH AMERICA WAS HELD 159 

The people of New England sent out many ships to catch 
whales. They found them in Long Island Sound and in 
Hudson Bay. Paying but little attention to the English 
Navigation Laws, 
they also sent trad¬ 
ing ships to all 
parts of the world. 

In some years, as 
many as two hun¬ 
dred vessels were 
built in New Eng¬ 
land. The New 
Englanders as a rule 
became fishermen, 
shipbuilders, or 
merchants. Those 
who tilled the soil 
made their own 
farm implements. 

196. Slaves. — The keeping of slaves never paid as well 
in the Northern colonies as in the South, so there never was 
as much of it. About one tenth of the people of New York 
and less than that in New England were negro slaves. In 
the South there were nearly as many slaves as white people 
and in South Carolina, more. 

197. Clothing. — In the early days of the colonies, most of 
the comforts of life were unknown. Such cloth as was used 
was woven on hand looms. It was made from threads of 
flax or wool, for cotton was hardly known. The flax was 
grown upon the farm, and the wool was cut from sheep that 
fed in the home pastures. Both the flax and the wool were 
carded and spun into threads by hand. There were no fac- 









i6o 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


tories for the making of cloth. The women of the household 
were kept very busy providing the garments of the family. 
Such a thing as knitting or sewing by machine had never 

been heard of. All 
the machinery then 
used in the making 
of stockings, was 
four knitting nee¬ 
dles. The rich peo¬ 
ple had cloth, trim¬ 
mings, and finery 
brought from Eng¬ 
land. The work¬ 
ingmen made much 
use of leather for 
breeches, and for 
aprons to protect 

their clothes when laboring. 

198. Heating and Cooking. — Stoves were unknown in 

the early colonial days. Rooms were warmed by means of 
fireplaces, and in these the cooking was done. There was 
a swinging bar in the fireplace, called a crane, from which 
kettles hung, so that the water in them might boil from 
the fire below on the hearth. There were also kettles with 
long legs, that were placed over live coals. In them meat was 
boiled. Some were so deep that meat could be roasted or 
bread baked in them. Others had covers into which live 
coals could be put in order to throw the heat downward. 
Thus there could be fire both above and below whatever 
was being cooked. Most of the bread was baked in a 
brick oven. A fierce wood fire was kept in it until the 
thick walls had taken up much heat. Then the coals and 






















HOW ENGLISH AMERICA WAS HELD 


161 


ashes were brushed out, the dough put in, in proper dishes, 
and the door closed. The heat from the brick walls baked 
the dough into bread. 

There were no matches. When people went to bed, they 
dug a hole in the ashes on the hearth, and in it put live coals, 
covering them carefully. 

In the morning, these were 
raked out still smoldering. 

Then kindlings were laid 
over them, and by blowing 
the coals with the bellows 
a flame was soon started. 

If the fire went out, one of 
the boys was sent to a 
neighbor’s “to borrow fire, 





Tinder Box, Flint, and Steel 


which was brought home, as live coals, in a dish covered 
with ashes. If fire could not be borrowed, a blaze was 
started by means of flint and steel. Very dry scrapings of 
old wood, bark, or linen, called tinder, were made ready, a 
piece of flint was struck on steel, until a spark fell on the 
tinder and started it to smoldering. From this a fire was 
started with the bellows. 

For dishes, wood was used, though there were, among 
those who could afford them, many pewter plates. 

199. Houses. — The houses were mostly made of logs hewn 
square and laid one above the other, with the spaces between 
them filled with clay. Very few bricks were used, and these 
were brought from across the sea. The roofs were of long split 
shingles. Sometimes, long grass or straw so laid that the 
rain would follow down the slope without wetting through, 
was used for roofing. Such roofs were called thatched roofs. 
Few houses had board floors. The bare earth trodden hard 








162 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


served as a floor. A house with glass windows was not often 
seen. Glass was very costly then. Paper well greased was 
used instead. It let in the light fairly well, much as ground 
glass does in our day. For light in the evening, candles 
were used and after 1750, lamps, filled with whale oil. 



Log Houses oe Early Settlers 


200. Religion. — Since England was a Protestant coun¬ 
try, most people who came from there to America were Prot¬ 
estants. These were mainly of two kinds: those belonging 
to the Church of England, or to the Episcopal church; and 
Puritans, or those of the Congregational church. In most 
of the colonies, the English government supported and en¬ 
forced the Episcopal church service. Catholics, Quakers, 
and people of other beliefs, were at times badly treated in 
all the colonies, except Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. 

201. Education. — As a rule, the people were in favor of 
schools and of the spreading of knowledge by means of print- 
















HOW ENGLISH AMERICA WAS HELD 


163 

ing, and this was especially true in New England. In those 
colonies, there were free public schools as early as 1647, and 
it was thought disgraceful 
for children not to know 
how to read and write and 
cipher. There were a few 
public schools in New 
Jersey and Pennsylvania, 
but none in Virginia and 
the other Southern colo¬ 
nies. Except in New York 
and New England there 
was no public school system 
in the colonies until after 
the Revolutionary War. 

202. The French prepare 
for War. — After King 
George’s War, the French had their plans and knew that 
peace would not last. One great effort was to be made to 
crush England, and the French were preparing for it. They 
built forts to hold the Ohio and Mississippi valleys. They 
worked hard because they saw that English fur-traders were 
crossing the mountains and getting into the Ohio River 
country. By 1730, to be ready for the war whenever it 
might come, the French had more than sixty of these forts 
and had made treaties with many of the Indian tribes. 

The French country was very thinly peopled; the Eng¬ 
lish country was small, but it was ten times as thickly settled 
as that of the French. The French were not growing up with 
the country as the English were. 

203. The English begin to take the Ohio Valley. — It was 
now nearly a hundred and fifty years since the English came 













164 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


to America and they had begun to value the land that lay 
beyond the mountains. Trappers and hunters had come 
back from their trips, again and again, to tell of the won¬ 
derful country they had seen. Then the colonists began to 
remember that the grants from England to the colonies, in 
times past, were for land stretching across the continent, and 
they felt, as the English at home did, that it was time to 
begin to use it. 

In 1748, the Ohio Land Company was formed in Virginia, 
to take up land beyond the mountains in the valley of the 
Ohio, and to trade with the Indians in that country. King 
George II gave it a grant of six hundred thousand acres. Well 
might the French expect war, when the English king was 
giving away the best land in the country they called their 
own, and when English traders were trying to get the fur 
trade away from them. 

Two years later, the Ohio Company sent some men across 
the mountains to survey the land and set up boundary marks. 
They went as far as the place on the Ohio River where Louis¬ 
ville now stands. The French heard of this move and took 
steps to put a stop to it. They sent a party which made 
prisoners of the surveyors. They also broke up a trading 
post that the English had made. 

To Dinwiddie, the governor of Virginia, the land com¬ 
pany complained of what the French had done. In 1753, 
he sent out a young man named George Washington, who 
was an officer of the militia, to investigate and report. There 
was need of haste, so, though it was winter, young Washing¬ 
ton set out at once. He traveled over mountains, through 
thick forests and swamps, and across rivers, which at that 
season were raging torrents full of broken ice. He had 
hundreds of miles to go. His errand was to order the French 


HOW ENGLISH AMERICA WAS HELD 


165 

away, to learn just what they were doing, and to make friends 
with the Indians. 

The best way, in those 
days, to get to the Ohio 
River country from the 
east was to follow the Ohio 
downstream from where it 
begins. The best way to 
reach the Ohio River was 
to strike the Allegheny 
River, which flows south, 
or the Monongahela, which 
flows north, and follow the 
current to the place where 
the two rivers come to¬ 
gether to form the Ohio. 

Both the English and the 
French knew that the meeting point of these two rivers 
was the most important place in that country. Each knew 
that the one who held it could keep the other out of the 
Ohio Valley beyond. Washington, when he returned to 
Virginia, told Governor Dinwiddie arid the Land Company 
that they ought to build a fort there as soon as possible; 
for if they did not, the French would. 

Soon afterward, a party was sent from Virginia to build 
the fort. But before they had half finished it, the French 
came down the Allegheny River in boats, drove them away, 
and completed the fort, which they named Fort Duquesne. 

204. The French and Indian War. — Fearing such a move 
by the French, Virginia had sent a regiment to hold the fort 
that was being built by the company’s men. Washington, 
though not its commander, was with the regiment. Runners 





i66 


AMERICAN HISTORY 



who had. started east with the news of what the French had 
done, met the Virginia force not far away, and told what 
had happened. Then Washington, with a number of men, 

pushed ahead. 
He had not 
gone far, when 
he came to a 
party of French 
soldiers who had 
heard of the 
Virginians, and 
who, like his 
own party, were 
out to see what 
was happening. 
The French 
acted as though 
they meant to 
fight, and with¬ 
out waiting 
further, Wash¬ 
ington fired on 
them and killed 
some of them. 
The French 

leader was among those who fell. Thus, May 28, 1754, 
began the war between the English and the French, that was 
to settle which should give way to the other in America. 
The part of the war that was fought in America, is known 
in history as the French and Indian War, because it was 
fought by the French and the Indians against the English. 
The French were in strong force at Fort Duquesne, and 


Painting by Chas. W. Peale. 

George Washington at the Age of Thirty 
In the Uniform of Virginia Colonel 








HOW ENGLISH AMERICA WAS HELD 167 

when they heard of the fight and the death of their officer, 
they sent several hundred men to attack the Virginians who 
had turned back. Washington, who was now in command, 
fell back and built a stockade, intending to wait there for the 
wagons that were on their way with supplies. The wagons 
did not come, and the soldiers suffered so much from hun¬ 
ger that he called his camp Fort Necessity. The French 
and Indians were more than double his force, and when they 
surrounded his stockade, he surrendered. But before doing 
so, he made the French agree that he and his men might 
return to Virginia with their arms. 

205. Franklin tries to form a Union. — There was in Phil¬ 
adelphia, at that time, a man of New England birth, who 
was long-headed and wise. This was shown later when he 
proved to be one of the greatest statesmen in America. His 
name was Benjamin Franklin. He had read of the good 
effects of the old New England Confederation, under which 
the colonies had helped each other so much, and he pro¬ 
posed that all the colonies should form a Union, under which 
to fight the French. The Union was to be headed by a 
President, who was to have considerable power. But the 
colonies were too jealous of one another to make such a 
union. If they had favored it, it could not have been carried 
out, because England would not consent. 

206. General Braddock. — In 1755, England sent one of 
her bravest soldiers, General Edward Braddock, to America 
with two regiments. These were troops that had done brave 
fighting in wars in Europe. When England sent Brad¬ 
dock, France sent a fleet to America with a force of troops 
under command of General Dieskau. It chanced that very 
early in the war, Braddock and Dieskau were killed. 

Knowing of the sailing of the French fleet, England 


i68 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


sent out a fleet, under Admiral Boscawen, to fight it. 
He met the French fleet off Newfoundland and gave it 
battle. He took three ships, and would have destroyed 

all the French vessels, had 
not a fog come up, under 
cover of which they escaped. 

Gen. Braddock thought he 
knew all about fighting, and 
so he did, about the kind 
that was done in Europe. 
But the French and the 
Americans had learned from 
the Indians ways of fighting 
that the soldiers of Europe 
did not understand. 

Braddock said he would 
make short work of any 
French and Indian skulkers 
that might come before his 
trained regulars. 

His first move was to 
march to the west, to take 
Fort Duquesne. George 
Washington was one of his aides. Braddock’s troops started 
from Alexandria, which is now a little town near where the 
city of Washington has since grown. When Braddock set 
out for the Ohio River, Dieskau with an army came south 
from Canada to Lake George. 

207. Braddock’s Defeat. — Major George Washington 
urged Braddock to push on, with as great speed as possible, 
so that they might reach Fort Duquesne before the French 
could get ready to fight. But Braddock would take no advice 



Route of Braddock’s Expedition 














HOW ENGLISH AMERICA WAS HELD 




from those whom he and his gaudy officers called Virginia 
countrymen. He made his men march over mountains 
and through woods and swamps as though they were on 
parade. He wasted 
weeks in making 
roads and smooth¬ 
ing the way for his 
troops. His pro¬ 
gress was slow for 
want of wagons 
and horses. But 
B en j amin F ranklin 
came forward and 
saved the under¬ 
taking by pledging 
his own fortune to 
the Pennsylvania 
farmers in pay¬ 
ment for teams 
that they supplied. 

Braddock went 
on, and after many 
days drew near 
Fort Duquesne. 

He should have 
kept scouts ahead to see if the enemy was before him, 
but he did not do this. When the column was wdthin ten 
miles of the fort, and as the men were pushing their way 
through the forest, the attack came. The Indian war whoop 
sounded, and bullets began to pour on the poor English 
soldiers, from the underbrush on either side. From behind 
trees and rocks, and out of little gullies, came the deadly 


Braddock surprised by an Ambuscade 





AMERICAN HISTORY 


170 

rain of lead, while the bewildered soldiers could scarcely 
see the enemy. 

The Virginians did as their foe did. They each took a 
tree, a log, or a hole in the ground for cover, and with only 
their heads in sight, peered out for the enemy. The British 
soldiers, if they had been allowed to do so, would have 
fought, each for himself. But their officers made them stand 
in line. The French and the Indians picked them off, one by 
one, until such as were still alive broke ranks and fled. 

Braddock was brave, but it is of no use to be brave, if 
bravery and folly go together. He was badly wounded, 
and died soon after the fight. Two horses were shot under 
Washington and four bullets went through his clothes. 

The few of Braddock’s army who were left retreated to 
Philadelphia. The Indians followed, and, for a long time, 
ravaged the villages and farms in the western part of Vir¬ 
ginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. 

One of the English plans had failed. Another had been 
made, which was to advance on Canada at the same time that 
Braddock went to the Ohio. This was to be done by going 
north through Lake Champlain. To do this, the French 
fort at Crown Point on the lake must be taken. 

208. Johnson’s Victory at Lake George. — There was a 
battle near the head of Lake George in which the English, 
under General Johnson, won a victory. The French under 
Dieskau came from Crown Point to meet the English, and 
were driven back. In the fight, Dieskau got his death wound. 
This was a few weeks after Braddock’s defeat. 

General William Johnson was an Irishman who owned a 
great tract of land in the Mohawk Valley, where he carried 
on a large fur trade, and was very friendly with the Mohawk 
Indians. He had married the daughter of a Mohawk 


HOW ENGLISH AMERICA WAS HELD 


171 



Quebec 


ivtreal 


( jFo^~ Front cnac ) 


Crown roLnt 
Ticonderoga 


Fort Niagara 


Rome" 


Buffalo i> 


Albany ( 
(Fort Orange) 


-' _ *~PiVs(|ue Isle 
^ForF Le EoeufV 
\Tnangoy 'v 


chief. The Atohawks were one of the Five Nations, or 
more correctly the Six Nations, for the Tuscaroras from the 
Carolinas, had joined 
the Iroquois Confed¬ 
eracy of New York 
State. The Six Na¬ 
tions were friendly to 
the English in this war, 
and fought against their 
old foes, the French. 

A large party of them 
went with Johnson and 
helped him. 


Tort j'"’ 

V /William Henrv 

(Fort Stanwuc) ^ £ j), , E( Jward 


-u; 1 « Bennington 

s L-_U— 


vlv'’p tn ". 11 (Fort Duquesne) 

WP.ttsburg \ Fort Pi ; ty ZJ' 


USHY RUN / 

I { 


• Fur"v~”'X 


*C -,-GREAT'MEADOW^ •; 
i ] • Fort Necessity 


Valle} 


Map showing French and English Forts 


Johnson did not follow the enemy, or take Crown Point. 
Instead, he built a fort near the battlefield, which he called 
Fort William Henry. The French now built another fort, 
between Lake George and Lake Champlain, which they called 
Ticonderoga. The only French victory during this year 






















IJ2 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


(1756) was the taking of the English Forts at Oswego by 
the Marquis Montcalm who had succeeded Dieskau. 

Another plan of the English was to take the French strong¬ 
hold of Louisburg, on Cape Breton Island, and thus be able 
to hold Acadia and New Brunswick. Much of Acadia had 
been held by England since Queen Anne’s War. 

209. The Acadians. — During the year, in which Braddock 
had failed and Johnson had partly succeeded, Acadia had 
been overrun by the English. Because the six thousand 
French people living there would not promise to be faithful 
to the English, they were moved away and scattered among 
the English colonies. Many went to Louisiana and joined 
the French there. To keep them from coming back, their 
homes were destroyed. It seemed hard to move them from 
their homes by force, but the English knew that if they were 
left in this part of the country, they would fight for the French. 
War is at best full of cruel things. The story of the Aca¬ 
dians is told in Longfellow’s poem, '‘Evangeline.” 

210. “The Seven Years’ War” in Europe. — So far, little 
fighting outside of America had been done by the English 
and French. But in 1756 war broke out in Europe, and 
even between the colonies of England and France in far¬ 
away India. Prussia, under that wonderful soldier King 
Frederick the Great, had become stronger as a European 
nation. Against Prussia were Austria, Russia, and France. 
England sided with Prussia. Thus began what is known in 
European history as “ The Seven Years’ War.” Afterward 
Spain entered the war against Prussia and England. Then Eng¬ 
land captured Havana in Cuba, and the Philippine Islands, 
which had belonged to Spain ever since Magellan found them. 
England was likely to lose America, and be crushed in Europe, 
by the four nations that were fighting her and Prussia. 


HOW ENGLISH AMERICA WAS HELD 


m 


211. William Pitt.—William Pitt, an able and honest man, 
now became prime minister of England. He was one of 
England’s greatest statesmen. He put good men in com¬ 
mand in America, and gave the colonial troops an equal 
footing with the English regulars, while at the same time 
he pushed the war in Europe. 

212. Montcalm. — The French now made Montcalm, one 
of their best generals, commander-in-chief in America. He at 
once began to win victories from the unfit commanders of 
the English forces. One of these was the taking of Fort Wil¬ 
liam Henry in 1757. The Indians with him murdered most 
of the English after they had surrendered. 

213. Defeat at Ticonderoga. — In 1758, General George 
Howe, sent to America by Pitt, went with an army to take 
the French fort Ticonderoga, near Lake George. In a 
slight skirmish he was killed. Then Abercrombie, who was 
not much of a soldier, in a very unskillful attack on the fort, 
was defeated with terrible loss. The Indians said that one 
of their old women would have done better as a general. 

214. Capture of Louisburg and Fort Duquesne. — A few 
days after Abercrombie’s defeat, General Wolfe, with the help 
of Amherst, took the great French fortress of Louisburg, that 
had been taken by New England troops in King George’s 
War and then given back to the French. A month later, 
Fort Frontenac, on the north shore of Lake Ontario, was 
taken from the French. 

From the defeat of Braddock to the year 1758, the Indians 
had been working havoc in the mountainous parts of Vir¬ 
ginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Nothing had been 
done toward a second movement against Fort Duquesne. 
But now an army was made up of colonists from these three 
colonies and. from the Carolinas to capture the fort, and the 


i74 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


English general, Forbes, took command. Washington went 
with him and helped him greatly. The fort was taken, and 
its name was changed to Fort Pitt. The place is now the 
great city of Pittsburgh. 

215. Plan of Campaign for 1759; Battle of Quebec.—■ 

In 1759, the tireless Pitt, besides attending to the war 
in Europe, determined to take Quebec. He sent John¬ 
son by the Niagara route to attack Montreal, and Wolfe 
to take Quebec by going up the St. Lawrence in ships. 
In the meantime, Amherst, after he had taken forts 
Crown Point and Ticonderoga, was to go north by Lake 
Champlain to help Wolfe. These, and the French forts 
at Niagara, were soon taken. 

The great Montcalm defended Quebec; the great Wolfe 
attacked it. For months Wolfe tried in vain to gain a point 
from which to attack. Winter was coming, and Amherst 
had not arrived. The city is situated on a steep and rocky 
hill overlooking the river. It had a strong fort to protect it, 
and unless the English could reach the plain at the top, there 
was not even a chance to fight. At last, a path was found 
and one night Wolfe moved the troops there by boats, 
and in darkness and silence, they climbed to the plain, and 
dragged some of their cannon after them. When day broke, 
such of the English army as had climbed the cliff was drawn 
up in line, less than a mile from the city. 

Hurrying forth to attack, before Wolfe could get the 
rest of his men up, Montcalm led out his troops and gave 
battle. The fight was furious, and both generals lost 
their lives. But the English won. The city surrendered 
September 18, 1759. England now held Quebec, Ticonderoga, 
Crown Point, Fort Duquesne, Niagara, and Louisburg. 

About a year later, a strong movement was made against 


HOW ENGLISH AMERICA WAS HELD 


!75 



Montreal, and that city surrendered. The French and Indian 
War in America wasover. New France was a thing of the past. 

216. Treaty of Peace. — The Seven Years’ War was 
ended by treaty in 
1763. Under the treaty, 

France gave to Spain all 
her holdings west of the 
Mississippi, and the city of 
New Orleans, so that the 
Spanish thus controlled the 
great river. To England, 
went all the French terri¬ 
tory east of the Mississippi, 
except two little islands 
south of Newfoundland, 
which were fishing stations. 

Thus the English had taken 
those parts of America 
settled by both the Dutch 
and the French. Florida, 
which had belonged to 
Spain, was given to Eng¬ 
land in exchange for Ha¬ 
vana and the Philippine 
Islands. It was stated in 

Climbing the Bluffs at Quebec 

the treaty that r rench 

should be the language of the people of Canada, and so it 
is, in the older part, to this day. 

North America now belonged to England and Spain; and 
thus, in 1763, began a new period for the English in America. 

The war ifi Europe left Frederick the Great victorious, 
and made England the most powerful nation in the world. 










AMERICAN HISTORY 


176 

217. Pontiac’s War. — After the French and Indian War, 
but before a treaty of peace was made, the English sent 
Major Rogers, with a party of his rangers, into the western 
country, to take charge of the French forts there. He car¬ 
ried written orders from the French, to those in command 
of the forts, to give them up. 

Rogers was met before he reached Fort Detroit by a chief, 
who asked him what his business was in that country. Rogers 
told him that the English now owned all the land that had 
once belonged to the French. He told the chief that he 
was on his way to take charge of Fort Detroit, and all other 
French forts in the western country. “ Stay where you are 
until to-morrow,” said the chief. “I am Pontiac, and this 
is my country. The French may have yielded it to the 
English, but the Indians have not.” 

Rogers kept his camp until the next day. In the morning 
Pontiac came to him. “ I have been the friend of the French,” 
said he, “ but they are beaten. I will be the friend of the Eng¬ 
lish, if they treat me well.” Then the pipe of peace was 
smoked, and there was peace between the English and the 
Indians, who until then had been their foes. 

However, in 1761, the English heard that there was a plot 
among the Indians to make war upon them. On a certain 
day in May, 1763, the Indians in the western country were 
to attack the forts and settlements there. 

At the appointed time, the Indians all through the 
West, without a word of warning, fell upon the English. 
In a day, the whole West was in the horror of an Indian 
war. Pontiac himself with a large force tried to take Fort 
Detroit, but failed in the attempt. An Indian girl had 
told the commander of the fort that the Indians meant to 
take it by surprise, and the soldiers were ready. 



CENTRAL NORTH AMERICA, 1766 
AT THE BEGINN1NQ OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 



CENTRAL NORTH AMERICA, 1763 
AFTER THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR 

CA©©OR0!NQ T© PEACE ®F PARD®) 

















































c 



















HOW ENGLISH AMERICA WAS HELD 


177 


Other forts were taken. Only four out of twelve escaped, 
one of which was Fort Pitt. But the English rallied, and soon 
began sending troops to beat off the savages. In 1763, a 
treaty was made between the English and the French, and 
then the French government caused the Indians to see that 
there was no hope of French help coming to them, and a 
year later the war ended. To Sir William Johnson, who had 
defeated Dieskau at Lake George, was largely due the fail¬ 
ure of the great Indian uprising led by Pontiac. 

In a meeting of Indians of the important northwestern 
tribes, held at Fort Detroit in 1761, promises of peace with 
the English had been given to Johnson. These promises were 
not kept by the Indians because they had been cheated in 
their dealings with dishonest English traders. 

When Pontiac began to plan the attack against the Eng¬ 
lish, Sir William Johnson prevented the Indians of the Six 
Nations, excepting the westerly tribe of Senecas, from join¬ 
ing in the fight that was to come. After Pontiac’s attack 
upon the English forts, all hope of getting help from other 
Indian tribes was destroyed by treaties which Johnson made 
with the Indians in a great council held at Fort Niagara 
in 1764. More than two thousand Indians, who came from 
the Mississippi River country and from as far east as Nova 
Scotia, were present at this great gathering. In Detroit dur¬ 
ing the following year, Pontiac, seeing that all hope of 
success was gone, made a formal treaty of peace with the 
English. In 1766, a meeting of chiefs was held at Oswego, 
at which Sir William Johnson and Pontiac were present, and 
the treaty made at Detroit, the year before, was confirmed. 

Three years later, Pontiac was murdered by an Indian 
near St. Louis. This was the last great war made by the 
Indians against the English. 


78 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


SUMMARY 

1. The English, confined to the coast, began to see the value for settlement 

of the land that lay beyond the mountain ranges, to the west. 

2. King George’s War. 

3. Name some of the industries of New England. 

4. The formation of the Ohio Company led the English to attempt the 

building of forts, on ground claimed by French. This caused trouble 
between the French and the English colonists, that ended in the war 
known as the French and Indian War. 

5. General Braddock and Washington march against Fort Duquesne in 

1755. The expedition ended in failure and in the death of Brad- 
dock. 

6 . Fort William Henry, built by Sir William Johnson, at the head of 

Lake George was taken by Montcalm in 1757. 

7. The English were defeated at Fort Ticonderoga in 1758. A few days 

later Wolfe took Louisburg, the French fortress on Cape Breton 
Island. 

8. Fort Duquesne was taken from the French by General Forbes, in 1758. 

9. General Wolfe took Quebec in 1759, thus ending the war. Montreal 

was taken a year later. The French power in America was thus 
broken. 

10. Pontiac urged the Indians to make war on the English. Pontiac’s 

War was ended by treaty made with him at Detroit in 1765. 

11. Treaty of peace between the French and the English was made in 1763. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. For what purpose was the Ohio Company formed? 

2. Name the colonial wars which occurred in this country before the French 

and Indian War. Tell about King George’s War. 

3. When did the English attempt to build a fort in the Ohio Valley? What 

name was given to this fort by the French after they had completed it? 

4. To what war did the attempt by the English to settle the Ohio country 

lead? 

5. Who attempted, in 1755, to take Fort Duquesne? Was the attempt 

successful? Why not? 

6. Give an account of some of the chief events of the French and Indian 

war. Name some of the leading generals on each side. 

7. Why did the English fail to take Fort Ticonderoga in 1758? 

8. What battle ended the war? 

9. Give an account of Pontiac’s War. 


CHAPTER X 


THE ENGLISH • COLONIES 

218. Canada. — In 1763, four years after the fall of Quebec, 
France gave Canada to England. Thus the English ruled a 
region in America whose inhabitants were French in man¬ 
ners, customs, and ways of living. Though they yielded, the 
Canadians were still French at heart, and hoped that France 
might regain her power in America. 

219. English Colonies. —• Affairs in the colonies were 
much as they had been before. There was no longer danger 
from France on the north, or from Spain on the south, nor, 
after Pontiac’s War, was there any fear of the Indians. 

220. People. — At the close of the French and Indian War, 
there were in the old colonies about 1,500,000 white people. 
There were scattered over the country about 350,000 negro 
slaves. Slavery existed from Massachusetts to Georgia, 
though nearly all the slaves were in the South, where the 
climate is warm. They worked in the fields, raising tobacco, 
rice, and other warm-climate crops. 

The settled portions of English America lay along the 
coast, and were far removed from one another. Most of the 
people lived along the rivers, or at tide-water, for the water¬ 
ways were the highways of travel. There was in each of 
the colonies a strong feeling of independence, and even of 
jealousy of the others. James Otis of Massachusetts, who 
was one of the greatest of the Revolutionary patriots, wrote, 
in 1765, “Were these colonies left to themselves to-morrow, 


i8o 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


America would be a mere shambles of blood and confusion 
before little petty states could be settled.’’ 

From time to time, the people in every colony had com- 
plained of ill-treatment by governors sent from England. By 
the test of warfare, against the French and Indians, the col¬ 
onists had learned that they could fight. In each colony, 
self-government by the people had been tried, and the result 
was good. They had found that there was no need for kings. 
Yet they had no thought of breaking away from the mother 
country. 

221. How England Treated her Colonies. — The colonists 
were forbidden to buy or sell in any country except England, 
or to make goods for themselves. This was done by enforcing 
the old and long forgotten Navigation Laws which had been 
passed in the time of Charles II, and even earlier. 

There was but little manufacturing among the colonists, 
even of goods for home use. Clay, and the fuel to bake it 
into bricks, could be found in boundless quantities in America, 

but the colonists 
were not permitted 
to make bricks. 
Under the laws of 
England, bricks for 
American homes 
were bought in Eng¬ 
land. The colonists 
were forbidden to 

trade with other nations — and with each other. Every¬ 
thing was forbidden by law that would prevent Englishmen 
at home from making money out of the needs of the colonies. 

222. Money Used by the Colonists. — English coins were 
used by the colonists and business was done in pounds, shil- 

































THE ENGLISH COLONIES 


181 


lings, and pence. But coin was scarce and trade was carried 
on largely by exchange of goods. Some colonies made coins 
of their own. In 1652, there was in Boston a mint where 
shillings, six-penny, and three-penny coins of silver were 
made. 

223. Industries. — As early as 1620, glass was made in 
Jamestown, and a little later a grist-mill was built there. In 



The AMERICAN 
WE E KLY MERCURY 


From Thurfday October i, to Thurfday Octobery., 17 40 . 

Reduced Facsimile of the Heading of an Early Issue 
of the First Newspaper in Philadelphia 

1642 cast-iron was made in Massachusetts. The first print¬ 
ing press was set up in Massachusetts in 1639, and in 1665 
the Bible was printed in the Indian language. A newspaper, 
called The News-Letter , was printed in Boston as early 
as 1704, and soon afterward there were newspapers in Phil¬ 
adelphia and New York. Before 1775, newspapers were com¬ 
mon, and there were printing presses in all the colonies. 
Farming was the chief industry, much tobacco being grown 
in Virginia, while potatoes and corn were raised in New Eng¬ 
land. 

224. Writs of Assistance. — In spite of English laws, the 
colonists bought goods of countries other than England. 
When ships from those countries reached our ports with 
















182 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


needed goods, offered at less than English prices, the Ameri¬ 
can merchants bought them. On goods so bought they paid 
no taxes to England. Long before this time England passed 
laws unjustly restricting the trade of the colonists, who re¬ 
sisted and opposed these tyrannous oppressions and illegal 
acts as being an unlawful interference with their means of 
getting a living. 

In 1761, England issued to the customs officers what were 
known as “ Writs of Assistance.” These writs gave the offi¬ 
cers power to enter warehouses and even private dwellings in 
search of goods upon which it was claimed no duty had been 
paid. In a great speech attacking these writs a Massachusetts 
patriot, James Otis, sounded a rallying cry for all American 
patriots. 

225. England’s Need of Colonies. — England was liberal 

to her colonies when it was to her advantage. She was not 
always wise but felt it would be dangerous to get their ill will, 
for at any time their help might be needed, as it had been 
when she captured Canada. 

226. The Lords of Trade and the Colonial Governors. — 

England dealt with her colonies through a body of men in 
Parliament known as “ The Lords of Trade.” The governors 
of the colonies made to this body reports, which were not 
always true. Thus the “Lords of Trade” were often mis¬ 
led, and were made to believe that the colonists were not loyal 
to the home government. In this way an unjust feeling 
against the colonists grew up in England. 

227. France no Longer to be Feared. — The English Par¬ 
liament had often tried to bring its subjects in America under 
better control. It had never thought it wise to use force, 
because France had always stood ready to take advantage 
of quarrels between the colonists and the mother country. 


THE ENGLISH COLONIES 


183 

But France was not then to be feared, either in America or 
Europe, and England in dealing with her colonies did not 
fear any rival nation. 

228 . George III. — In 1760 
George III, a man of twenty-one, 
had come to the English throne. 

He was jealous of the power of 
Parliament and he determined to 
lessen it. He schemed and plot¬ 
ted and became very much 
disliked by his subjects. The 
greatest, wisest, and fairest- 
minded of England’s statesmen 
were against him. He cared 
little for the rights of Englishmen 
in England, and less for the rights of colonists in America. 

229 . Taxation without Representation. — The French and 
Indian War had been costly. Yet the colonies had borne 
more than one-half of its burden, both in money and in lives. 
Massachusetts alone had furnished and supported seven thou¬ 
sand soldiers. Yet the king proposed to tax the colonies 
still more, and to do it against their will. The money gained 
from this tax was to be used in paying England’s share of the 
war debt, and to support a standing English army in America. 
The colonists in America did not object to paying taxes 
provided they might share in determining their amount and 
the purpose for which they were to be raised. They said that 
they would not pay taxes unless they were represented in the 
English Parliament. They declared, “ Taxation without 
representation is tyranny.” 

230. England Tries to Humble the Colonies; the Stamp 
Act. — The spirit shown by these colonists beyond the 




AMERICAN HISTORY 


184 

sea, annoyed the king and his party. Then it was that the 
old Navigation Laws were put into force, and new laws were 
made even more hurtful to the colonists. 

One of these laws, passed in 1765, was called “The Stamp 
Act.” Under it England caused great quantities of stamps to 
be printed, which were to be sold to the colonists at from one 
penny to as high as ten pounds each. No legal or business 
paper was binding unless it bore one of these stamps. Even 
newspapers were to be stamped. Most of the people in 
the colonies were very angry when the stamps were sent 
here, and refused to buy them. Bands of patriots called 
“Sons of Liberty” were formed in every colony to oppose the 
Stamp Act and to resist British tyranny. In various places 
they planted huge poles in the ground, calling them ‘‘Liberty 
Poles.” A number of these poles in New York were cut down 
by British soldiers, but they were set up again as fast as they 
were cut down. Everywhere in the colonies the “Sons of 
Liberty ” opposed English rule and were the first to ask for 
independence and armed resistance. When the royal governor 
of New York had threatened to order his soldiers to fire on 
them, his effigy was carried through the streets in his own 
carriage, and both were burned in his presence. 

The Stamp Act was in force for a year, and during that 
time the anger of the people grew. The colonies sent agents 
to New York to meet in a Congress which was to plan a course 
of action against England. The Congress prepared a state¬ 
ment called “A Declaration of Rights.” Samuel Adams, one 
of the leading American patriots, made an eloquent speech in 
Faneuil Hall, in Boston, against the Stamp Act. Many patri¬ 
otic meetings were held in Faneuil Hall, which for that reason 
has been called “The Cradle of Liberty.” This building was 
the gift of Peter Faneuil to Boston for public meetings. 


THE ENGLISH COLONIES 185 

The Stamp Act became so distasteful that Parliament at 
length repealed it. 

In 1768 the Assembly of Massachusetts sent a letter to the 
other colonies, asserting the rights of the people. It called 



Patrick Henry in the Virginia Assembly 
After the painting by A. Chappel 


upon all to resist unjust tax laws. The replies from all the 
colonies were alike, in promising to stand by Massachusetts. 

At about this time, the people of Virginia, spurred by the 
eloquence of Patrick Henry and led by George Washington, 
agreed to use no goods on which a duty had been paid to Eng¬ 
land. Other colonies followed this course, and soon the mer¬ 
chants of England felt the effect of it. So loudly did they 
complain that the duty taxes in America were killing their 
trade, that all the tax laws were repealed, except one. That 
was kept in force, to show that England claimed the right to 
lay such taxes. It was thought that the colonists would 
willingly pay a trifling tax on tea, and that they would 































i86 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


thus admit that a revenue tax was just. But England was 
mistaken in this matter. When an English ship arrived at 
Boston with a cargo of tea, men disguised as Indians boarded 
her and threw the tea overboard. This became known as the 
Boston Tea Party. Ships with tea sent to other ports were 
not allowed to unload their cargoes except in Charleston, 
South Carolina, where the tea, after being unloaded, was 
allowed to spoil. At Annapolis the people forced one ship¬ 
master to burn both ship and cargo. 

231. Committees of Correspondence. — During the stir 
about the duties, and before cargoes of tea reached America, 
the people of Massachusetts formed Committees of Corre¬ 
spondence. It was the duty of these to write letters from 
Boston to the towns, and from the towns to Boston, three or 
four times a week. Mounted men carried these letters. 
The plan worked so well that soon there were Committees 
of Correspondence in nearly all the colonies, and thus each 
colony knew what was going on in all the others. 

232. It was the King’s Fault. — England’s best and wisest 
statesmen had opposed oppression in all the unfairness that had 
been heaped upon the colonies. They openly declared that 
such harsh laws were wrong and unjust, but the young king 
was headstrong and would not agree with them. Since wise 
and good men would not help him in his course, he called to his 
aid those who had more craft and selfishness than honesty. 
He spent a large part of the vast fortune left him by his father, 
in bribing members of Parliament to do his will. Some, who 
would not take money, he gained by giving them high offices. 

233. Tories and Whigs. — The king’s followers were called 
Tories , and the English people, who were against him and 
his party, were known as Whigs. Thus there were two poli¬ 
tical parties in England. The Whig party in England with 


THE ENGLISH COLONIES' 


187 


Edmund Burke and William Pitt as its leaders was opposed to 
the king in his oppression of the colonists. The Tories in the 
colonies took sides with the king and were not opposed to the 
Stamp Act, or anything else the king wanted. Their neigh¬ 
bors, the Whigs, were against the Stamp Act and all other laws 
that cut off their just rights. 

As things were, the course of the king and his followers 
became a matter of words in England, and of arms in Amer¬ 
ica. The angry king was 
by this time more intent 
on forcing the colonists to 
submit to his will than he 
was on getting money from 
them. To his mind the 
colonists were rebels, and 
they must be punished. 

234. First Continental 
Congress. — In 1774 it 
was plain that there was 
danger of war. It was 
thought wise to call an¬ 
other Congress of all the 
colonies, to consider what 
should be done. The men 
appointed met at Philadel¬ 
phia late in the year, each 
colony except Georgia sending representatives. This meeting 
was called the Continental Congress. In a great speech, 
Patrick Henry declared, “I am no longer a Virginian, but an 
American.” This remark was the text of many speeches 
made during the session, and showed that the colonists meant 
to work together. General Gage, fearing that the colonists 



Carpenters’ Hall, Philadelphia, 1774 
Where the first Continental Congress met 







































































i88 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


would attack his army in Boston, was throwing up earth¬ 
works for defense. Congress, hoping for peace, sent a re¬ 
spectful message to the king asking that he treat the colo¬ 
nists fairly. He refused to read it. 

This first Continental Congress lasted for nearly two 
months. The Congress had no power to make laws; it could 
only advise. It did advise that all unite in putting pressure 
on the people of England, in the hope that thus the king 
might be reached. It sent word to the colonists asking them 
to agree to buy nothing from England, and to send no goods 
of any kind to England. The effect was soon felt in England, 
whose colonies were of value to her for the trade they gave 
her, and the result was such as the colonists had expected. 
The distress in England that came from the loss of trade 
gave the Whig party new strength. 

235. The Fisheries. — The king then caused Parliament to 
pass a law forbidding Massachusetts to fish on the Newfound¬ 
land banks. This hurt New England, for its people were 
largely engaged in catching codfish off the Newfoundland 
coast. Their little vessels lay idle at the wharves, and they 
had no means of earning their bread. 

236. Privateers. —Thereupon the colonists turned their 
fishing vessels into armed sea-rovers, to pounce on Eng¬ 
lish merchant-ships and their cargoes. In a short time, as 
soon as the war began, there were thousands of fishermen, 
the best sailors in the world, ravaging British commerce on 
the sea. 

237. The Minute-men. — The people of Massachusetts 
and other parts of New England were preparing for war, 
but thought it wise to wait for England to strike the first 
blow. They meant that the world should see that they were 
forced to fight to defend themselves. 




THE ENGLISH COLONIES 


189 


Men in all the towns formed companies that met, nightly, 
for drill. Each man held himself ready to rush to the field 
as a soldier, at a minute s notice. Thus, while there was no 
camp of soldiers, there was a patriot army of several thousand 
men, ready for instant service. Those who belonged to this 
force were called Minute-men. 

There were many veterans of the 
French wars still living, and they taught 
military drill to those younger men who 
had never been soldiers. Like Massa¬ 
chusetts, other colonies prepared for war. 

SUMMARY 

1. After the French and Indian War, England began 

to oppress her colonies in America. 

2. The colonists claimed the right to buy goods 

wherever they pleased. 

3. To escape severe taxation, the colonists refused to 

buy goods from England. 

4. Under “ Writs of Assistance,” houses were searched 
, by tax officers. 

5. The “Stamp Act.” Anger of the colonists. 

6 . Massachusetts takes a firm stand. 

7. First Continental Congress, 1774- The colonists say that they will buy no 

more goods from England. 

8 . The “ Minute-men.” 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. How did England propose to make money from her American colonies? 

2. Who were the Tories? 

3. For what purpose were “Writs of Assistance” issued? 

4. What was meant by “Taxation without Representation”? 

5. What was the purpose of the “Stamp Act”? 

6 . What colony was most active in opposing the measures of Parliament? 

7. When did the first Continental Congress meet? Where? What was its 

purpose? What did England do in return for some of the measures 
passed by this Congress? 

8 . Who were the “Minute-men ”? Why were they so called? 



Statue of the 
Minute-man at 
Concord 


CHAPTER XI 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 

238. The Rebellion against the King. — In 1775 Parlia¬ 
ment declared that there was rebellion in Massachusetts. 
To put it down, a fleet was sent to Boston with thousands of 
soldiers, and General Gage, who had regular British troops 
in that city, was getting ready for action. 

Many patriots had left Boston to escape from Tories, as 
many Tories had gone to that place to avoid the patriots. 
Samuel Adams and John Hancock, leaders against the king, 
were wanted by General Gage, and, if he had caught them, 
their fate would have been sad. 

239. Lexington and Concord. — Through Tory spies out¬ 
side the city, Gage knew what was going on in the country. 
He thus learned that by a quick dash to Lexington and Con¬ 
cord, he might capture Adams and Hancock and destroy arms 
and supplies that were stored there. At midnight, April 18, 
1775, he sent a force from Boston toward Lexington. But, 
if Tories outside could send word in, patriots inside could 
send word out. Paul Revere saw what was being done, and 
made that ride of which Longfellow tells in his poem. 

The Minute-men were roused and began to gather. When 
the British column reached Lexington, in the gray of the 
dawn, there was a group of them on the village green. The 
king’s troops fired on them, killing and wounding several. 
The soldiers then marched a few miles farther toward Con¬ 
cord. But so many Minute-men were in sight, that the 
British colonel prudently sent to Boston for more troops. 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 191 

At Concord were more Minute-men, coming from all direc¬ 
tions. At Concord bridge they attacked two hundred ' red¬ 
coats,” as the British in their scarlet uniforms were called, 
and drove back such as they did not kill. 



The Battle of Lexington 

After a drawing by two Connecticut soldiers who were in the battle 


From outlying villages and farms, the Minute-men gathered 
along the road from Lexington to Boston. They had no 
general in command, and every man was his own officer. 
After leaving Lexington the British fared badly. Few, if 
any, of the British soldiers would have reached Boston, had 
not the troops that had been sent for come to meet them 
and help them to safety. 

The Minute-men camped that night near Cambridge, and 
that camp remained until the British army was driven from 
Boston. 

Thus began the war of The American Revolution. 

Many a horseman set out with news that the war had begun. 




192 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


It was not Boston’s war; it was not the war of Massachusetts; 
it was Pennsylvania’s war; it was Virginia’s war; it was the 
war of all the colonies. 

For ten years, a portion, perhaps half, of the Americans, 
had sought in peaceful ways, and sometimes in ways that 
were hardly peaceful, to get their just rights. Now they 
united to fight for them, and to fight hard. The king had 
struck the first blow, had killed the first men, and the blow 
had been paid back quickly with the killing of many men. 
The patriots were to fight now against the soldiers of the 
king, and against the Tories who were rallying to the royal 
flag, 

240. England and the Colonies at the Beginning of the 
Revolution. — The colonies were poor, having lost men and 
money in the French and Indian War. They were far apart, 
so that it was hard to bring together the men who were will¬ 
ing to fight. There was, as yet, no strong feeling of union 
among them, and they had not overcome the feeling that 
each colony was for itself and none for all. Many people 
sided with the king, and were ready to fight their neighbors. 

England was as strong as the colonies were weak — the 
strongest nation in the world. The richest of nations, she had 
three times as many people as the colonies. Her merchant 
ships were the best; her navy ruled the sea; and she had a 
large army that had won great victories in Europe. It seemed 
foolhardy for the weak colonies to brave the anger of England’s 
king. Yet, England could not afford a war. The long and 
costly struggle to gain Canada had left her in debt. She 
needed years of peace in which to grow strong. To fight 
the colonies, she would be obliged to move troops and sup¬ 
plies thousands of miles across the sea. This would cost 
more than it would to grant their just demands. 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 


I 93 



Flag of the United Colonies 
I775-I777 


241. The Second Continental Congress. — In May, 1775 , 
the Second Continental Congress met at Philadelphia, with 
John Hancock of Massachusetts as its president. In the 
first Congress, there had been hope that fair treatment might 
be gained; now there was a state of war. The time for plead- 

. ing had passed and the duty of this Congress was to carry on 
the war. It was difficult for the 
colonists to learn that in union 
there is strength. But con¬ 
fronted by a common danger and 
encouraged by the success of their 
soldiers in meeting the British 
Regulars at the battles of Lex¬ 
ington and Concord, they united 
for the struggle upon which they were entering. They were 
now bound together with a common interest and patriotic 
zeal to carry to a successful issue the great cause upon which 
they were united. 

The colonists never lost confidence in the wisdom, patri¬ 
otism and patience of their great leaders. Here was now born 
for the first time in America the national idea. The colonies 
which up to this meeting had been working and thinking 
as individual units now combined to provide supplies and 
ammunition. Congress voted to raise an army of 20,000 men, 
to be paid by the United Colonies, and to be called the Conti¬ 
nental Army. Thus began the first real National Army. A 
National Navy was provided for and it was ordered that 
thirteen warships be built. A National Commander-in- 
Chief was appointed, and National Money was ordered. 

242. The Siege of Boston. — A few days after the battle of 
Lexington, the little camp of patriots near Cambridge grew 
to an army of 15,000 men, and laid siege to Boston. The 




194 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


patriots meant to capture, drive out, or destroy -the British 
army. Men were coming on foot from distant colonies to 
join the Cambridge army. Earth-works were being built 
around Boston from which to fight General Gage’s men. 

Boston is on 
a peninsula and 
a strip of land 
joins it with 
the mainland. 
This little strip 
was fortified 
by the British 
at one end,and 
by the Conti¬ 
nentals at the 
other. On the 
mainland 
around the city 

— which was 
then very small 

— are various 
hills, and from 

some of these cannon might send shot to reach the troops 
within. Two of these hills are higher than the others. One, 
in Charlestown, near Bunker Hill, was called Breed’s Hill, 
and the other, to the south of Boston, was called Dorchester 
Heights. 

By the middle of June, Gages forces numbered about ten 
thousand men. He saw that he must seize Breed’s Hill and 
Dorchester Heights, and fortify them, for it was plain that if 
he did not, the Continentals would, and would then compel 
him to leave the city. While he was getting ready the Con- 



Map of Boston and Bunker Hill, 1775 




















































THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 


195 


tinentals went to Breed’s Hill in the night and built some fairly 
good breast-works. At sunrise the next morning, June 17, 
1775, the British saw what was going on and opened fire on 
the hill from their warships. 



The Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775 
Boston Battery Charlestown British troops attacking 

From a contemporary print 


243. The Battle of Bunker Hill. — Colonel Prescott’s thou¬ 
sand Minute-men kept cool and Gage soon saw that something 
more than long-range cannon fire was needed to drive them 
away. More than a third of his men moved over to 
Charlestown to take the hill. Meanwhile, the Continentals 
had been busy in strengthening their earth-works, and in 
getting more men into them. 

On came the British. All was silent behind the breast¬ 
works. A thousand eyes were sighting the barrels, each with 
its man picked out. A thousand fingers pressed the firelocks 
ready to pull at the word. The courage shown was wonderful. 
“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes,” said the 
American commander. 















AMERICAN HISTORY 


196 

The word was given, “Fire!” There were a few seconds of 
the rattle of musketry; a cloud of smoke floated back; powder- 
horns were lifted; bullets were rammed home. This was 
inside the works. Outside, lay the harvest rows of death. 
The advancing line had melted. It was broken as a wave 
is broken when it strikes the rocks. The British soldiers 
who had come on in martial pride fell back in terror. 

Again urged on, threatened, beaten with swords, the 
British formed and charged. Again the cool marksmen be¬ 
hind the breast-works swept them out of life. Now came a 
time of danger to the Minute-men. Their powder was gone, 
and if the British should charge again, they would win. 

More troops came from Boston, and the third charge was 
made. It swept the patriots from the hill, and they fell back 
to escape capture. It was a costly victory for the British, 
who lost eleven hundred and fifty-four; the Continentals, 
four hundred and forty-nine. Among the patriots who were 
killed was General Warren, who, had he lived, might have 
become as famous as Washington. Among the British dead 
lay Major Pitcairn, who had ordered his men to fire on the 
Minute-men at Lexington. 

The battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill proved what 
the world had refused to believe, that the Continental sol¬ 
diers, both in attack and in defense, could stand against any 
troops in the world. The art of war as followed in Indian 
fighting, and in the struggle against the French, had been 
well learned by the hardy New Englanders, and they had 
become better soldiers than they knew. It was shown, and 
the showing has been many times repeated, that, as a 
fighter, the American soldier has no superior. 

244. Washington, Commander-in-Chief. — Two days be¬ 
fore this battle, John Adams of Massachusetts rose in 



THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 197 

Congress and said, u Mr. President: We need a Commander- 
in-Chief in the great war upon which we are entering, to plan 
our campaigns and direct our armies. Who is better fitted 
than George Washington of Virginia?” Washington was 
appointed General-in-Chief of the Continental Army, June 
i 5 > 1 775 ? an d at once went to Cambridge, to take command. 


By order of congress, troops from the colonies of the far 
South were sent to Cambridge, so that it was truly a Conti¬ 
nental army, and not simply a body of New England troops. 

Washington’s task was not a light one. He had about 
15,000 men poorly armed, untrained, and inexperienced. His 
first task was to find food, clothing, and ammunition. The 
winter months of 1775 were spent at Cambridge in drilling the 
soldiers and preparing for a spring campaign. Some soldiers 
had seen service in European armies, and others in the recent 
French and Indian Wars. 

245. Ticonderoga and Crown Point. — Meantime, others 
than the troops before Boston were busy. In old forts at 


Washington in Command of the Continental Army 





AMERICAN HISTORY 


I 


I98 

Ticonderoga and Crown Point there were cannon taken from 
the French in the war a few years before. These forts had 
been taken by hard}' farmers led by Allen and Stark, in May, 
and by the time the snows of winter came, rude sleds had 
been made and hundreds of oxen were slowly dragging pre¬ 
cious loads of cannon, powder, and ball toward Cambridge. 
Stores of powder were also coming from far-away Georgia. 

246. The Attempt to take Montreal and Quebec. — It was 
planned by the British, that while the Continental army was 
besieging Gage in Boston, a British force should come south 
from Canada into the colony of New York. Washington 
learned of this, and decided to attack Montreal and Quebec. 
He sent General Montgomery with a small force by way 
of Lake Champlain to take Montreal, which was done. At 
the same time, Benedict Arnold was sent with a still smaller 
force, through the woods of Maine, to take Quebec, where 
Montgomery was to join him after taking Montreal. Arnold’s 
men suffered much on the way and were delayed in reaching 
Quebec. A little more than half of them got there, and were 
joined by Montgomery’s force. The attack on Quebec was 
made on the last day of the year 1775, and it failed. Mont¬ 
gomery was killed and Arnold badly wounded. Montgomery 
was a young Irishman who had fought bravely in the French 
and Indian War. His monument stands in St. Paul’s 
churchyard, New York City. 

247. Dorchester Heights. — General Gage, after taking 
Breed’s Hill, neglected to take Dorchester Heights, and Gen¬ 
eral Howe, who followed him in command, was equally neg¬ 
lectful. Washington, now supplied with heavy cannon, had 
been firing on the city from various works around it. 

While the British, bewildered by the firing, kept marching 
about from point to point, to meet possible attacks from 



Cherry Valley, 


Albany 


CATS KILL 


"Wyoming 1 




\V\SSSSNnN 


sSSSN^ 


sSSSSNSSS; 


Morris- ^ 
town * 


Three Rivers 


sssss 


llllllllll 


^CMtef'fe’ 0l *Utoirn> 

Chad’as^j- . 
. Pord^£\V 


VfTrenton 
J * ilomJ 

r >, c.h. | 

'hlladelplila il 


. 


ilmington 


III D. Elk 
Baltimore^/ 


Campaigns in MIDDLE STATES 


Oswego 


^^^^^ 4 ^Ft.Niagara 

Jfall) 


Saratoga, 

3 

Cherry 

Vallev* ^Albany 

v/ /^c^tskJk:i^. I 
-~S^MTS'.' ! ^J= / 


PStsinoutli 


I^Benniqgton 


.arlcrslown 


TuCod 


Hartford 


Ek ^ es£ f 
M §pi>.?Storry p 

--Morristown*, 

,<1# } ' r* 


WyomingV 


Pittsburg 

(PhPitt) 


Trent 


Thlladelpj 


Elktoj 


ernon 


rickabu] 


Charlottesville 


'^Jtlchmond 

^WiUht psbu rg 

VorktOT 


REFERENCE MAP FOR THE REVOLUTION 
NORTHERN AND MIDDLE STATES?. 















































































































































THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 


199 

Washington’s forces, he moved two thousand men to Dor¬ 
chester Heights, which he fortified and planted with cannon. 

The British had taken one New England hill, and had 
learned in sorrow what such victories cost. Howe thought it 
would be better to give up the city than to attack Dorchester 
Heights. It was therefore arranged that if Howe would with¬ 
draw from Boston, Washington would withhold his fire and 
let him go. The British troops, with a great many Tories, 
went aboard ship and sailed for Halifax, March 17, 1776. 
The next day Washington entered the city with his troops. 
No armed enemy has ever set foot in Boston since. 

248. War in the Carolinas. — Baffled in New England, the 
king decided to wage war in other colonies. Before Washing¬ 
ton took Boston, a fleet bearing an army was sent from that 
port to meet another from England, under Sir Peter Parker. 
These were to move against the Carolinas, where the descend¬ 
ants of the early colonists who had settled in that local¬ 
ity were mostly Tories. It was the plan that an armed force 
of these was to join British troops landing from the fleet. 

A body of patriot troops, however, defeated the Tory force 
and captured all its stores. Learning of this, Sir Peter tried 
in June, 1776, to take Charleston, South Carolina. But, no 
enemy has ever been able to take Charleston by attack from 
sea, and both fleet and army were soundly whipped. 

249. The War in New York and New Jersey. — When the 
British ships had passed from sight, bearing troops from Bos¬ 
ton to Halifax, Washington made ready to move his army to 
New York. He knew that the British generals would try to 
control the Hudson River, and thus separate New England 
from the rest of the colonies. He saw that the next fighting 
would be in or about the city of New York, and he meant to 
be there with his men. 


200 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


While the Americans were fighting for their rights, they 
did not cease trying to obtain them by milder measures. 
As late as August, 1775, the Congress sent a messenger to 
plead with the king and Parliament for consideration. The 
king would not even read the petition. 

250. The Hessians. — Some unfit men, whom fate had 
made rulers over petty provinces in Germany, were in need of 
money and ordered their regiments to go to America to fight 
for the British king in a quarrel which was not theirs. Thus, 
for money, they sent thousands of Hessian soldiers away to 
be killed. 

251. Independence. — The coming of the Hessians made 
the Americans very angry. They had been fighting for their 
rights under the king. They now began to declare for Inde¬ 
pendence. They would have nothing to do with such a king, 
but would start the colonies as a new nation, or a number of 
new nations. “We must fight it through,” said a patriot to 
Benjamin Franklin, as together they signed the Declaration 
of Independence; “we must hang together.” “if we do 
not hang together,” said Franklin, “we shall surely hang 
separately.” 

In the early part of 1776, there was much talk of making 
the struggle a war for independence. Wise men among the 
patriots saw that this was advisable. There was joy in 
France over the trouble that England was having with her 
colonies, and hope that she would be humbled. The French 
had not forgotten their defeat by England and were not idle. 
French agents were in America; French money had been sent 
to keep up the rebellion. It was understood that, at the 
proper time, Franee might openly help the Americans, even 
at the expense of war with England. 

If the colonies were a nation, fighting another nation, France 


Signing the Declaration of Independence 

From a recent photograph of the original painting 











202 


AMERICAN HISTORY. 


might feel free to take sides with them, and leading Ameri¬ 
cans were not slow to say that the colonies ought to declare 
themselves forever free from English control. 

It was seen that the time to act had come, and, in June, a 
committee was appointed to prepare a Declaration of Inde¬ 
pendence, and another to prepare laws for the government of 
the nation, to be called, ‘'Articles of Confederation.” Thomas 
Jefferson was a member of the first committee, and wrote the 
Declaration. It was adopted by Congress in 1776, July 4, 
the day we now celebrate as our greatest holiday. 

The act of Congress in thus declaring the colonies to be 
a nation was hailed with great rejoicing. The Continental 
soldiers in New York City were formed in parade and the 
Declaration was read to them. The king’s statue, made of 
lead, stood on Bowling Green. It was pulled down, chopped 
up, and cast into bullets. 

There were now no British colonies in America. They 
had become states. They were united to defend themselves. 
They were the United States of America. 

252. Washington’s Movements. — While Congress was 
giving its time to the making of a nation, Washington and his 
men were struggling at New York against a powerful English 
army helped by a strong British war fleet. Washington had 
arrived in New York in April, and in June, Howe had come 
from Halifax with the troops that Washington had driven 
out of Boston, and had encamped on Staten Island. A little 
later, Howe’s brother, Admiral Howe, had come to New York 
with the British fleet. 

The plan of the British was to gain control of the Hudson 
River and the Lake Champlain valley, and thus fence off 
rebellious New England from the rest of the colonies. 

Upon a number of hills southwest of Brooklyn, over which 































- 

, 

























Nathan Hale 

Who nobly said, “I only regret that I have but one life to 

lose for my country.” 







THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 


203 


the city has since spread, Washington built earth-works. 
He also built works north of New York, and in a general way 
prepared for defensive fighting for the Hudson River, should 
he be driven back from Long Island. 

Uncertain as to what the British would do next Washington 
asked for a volunteer to go into the British camp and dis¬ 
cover the plans of the enemy. Captain Nathan Hale, a 
young school-teacher, stepped forward for this dangerous 
service and made the journey. After gathering the informa¬ 
tion he was captured when about to cross Long Island Sound 
on his return. W ithout a trial he was hanged the next morn¬ 
ing as a spy. After a night of cruel treatment by the British 
soldiers, this brave young patriot, barely twenty-one years 
of age, met his death declaring, “I only regret that I have 
but one life to lose for my country.” The statue in City 
Hall Park, New York, was erected near where he was 
executed. 

253. The Battle of Long Island. — Late in August, 
Howe crossed from Staten Island to Long Island, defeated 
the Americans, and drove them back to Brooklyn Heights. 
There Washington’s army was strongly entrenched behind 
fortifications in a well protected position which made attack 
difficult. Dreading to attack the entrenchments, Howe sought 
to surround the Americans with his greater force and lay siege 
to their works. In Washington’s army, there were men from 
New England who were skillful boatmen. To them was 
given the task of ferrying the troops across the East River 
from Brooklyn to New York. On August 29, 1776, a foggy 
night, such as is common in New York Harbor, the Ameri¬ 
can army escaping capture was moved to Manhattan Island. 

254. Retreat to Harlem. — Pressed now by a much stronger 
force, Washington, checking his pursuers with great skill, 


204 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


fell slowly back. He had built Fort Washington on Harlem 
Heights, now a New York City Park. Fearing that he could 
not hold the fort he ordered it abandoned, but his orders were 
not obeyed. The fort was taken by the British and a large 
part of the garrison was captured. 

It was now the middle of November. For weeks Wash¬ 
ington had held the enemy in check, there being some severe 
fighting at White Plains. Fort Washington and Fort Lee, 
on opposite sides of the Hudson, had been built to keep the 
British fleet from going up the river. Soon after the fall of 
Fort Washington, Fort Lee was abandoned. 

The loss of these forts gave control of the lower Hudson to 
the British, but works had been built at West Point, so strong 
that the fleet could not pass them, and so the Hudson, as a 
whole, was still held by the Americans. Though driven away 
from New York City with heavy loss, Washington still held 
what he had been fighting for. The fort at West Point was 
now the key to the Hudson River, and was the most impor¬ 
tant point in the whole country. 

255. Washington Enters New Jersey. — Washington 
crossed the Hudson into New Jersey with a portion of his 
army. His plan was to escape the enemy on the New York 
side, and, at the same time, be ready to check General Corn¬ 
wallis in New Jersey, whose force threatened Philadelphia. 
He ordered General Charles Lee, his second in command, 
to bring over the rest of the army to help him. 

Unknown to Washington, or to the patriots, Lee was a 
traitor. He did not come with his command, and Washington 
gave up his plan of fighting Cornwallis. Instead of winning 
a victory as he had hoped, Washington with his part of the 
army fell back across New Jersey, pressed by the British 
troops. He crossed the Delaware River into Pennsylvania, 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 


205 


while Lee’s command crossed into New Jersey and remained 
in the northern part of the state to defend the Hudson. Lee 
was taken prisoner by the British soon after this, and it was 
a long time before he was exchanged. 

The king was gaining ground against the patriots and 
Cornwallis’s army was driving Washington’s. People in 
New Jersey were surrendering to the king; men by hundreds 
were retiring from Washington’s army, because they were 
worn out and discouraged. Congress, fearful of capture, 
moved from Philadelphia to Baltimore. At the end of the 
year, the time for which many of the soldiers had enlisted 
would have passed, and many who would not leave, could 
then feel free to go to their homes. Thus Washington’s army 
became small and weak, and would soon be still smaller and 
weaker. Something must be done, and done quickly, or the 
rebellion would be crushed, and the Declaration of Indepen¬ 
dence be made a by-word. 

It was now December, and near Christmas time. Wash¬ 
ington’s little force was on the Pennsylvania side of the Del¬ 
aware River, while the troops of Cornwallis were on the New 
Jersey side, and a force of Hessians was at Trenton. 

256. Battle of Trenton. — Washington had wisely seized 
all the boats along the Delaware for many miles. Thus 
he could cross the river at will, while the British could not. 

It was the custom of the Hessian people to have a good 
time at Christmas, with much eating and drinking. Christ¬ 
mas night that year was bitter cold, and the Delaware was 
full of floating ice. There was no Christmas cheer in Wash¬ 
ington’s camp. His men, half-shod, half-clothed, half-fed, 
were plodding along through snow and sleet, over frozen 
ground, to the river, which they crossed in boats. All suf¬ 
fered much, and some perished from the cold. On the 


206 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


morning after Christmas, they were at Trenton and rushed 
to the attack. The Hessians, unfit to fight, quickly gave up. 
More than a thousand prisoners were taken and a wealth of 
war supplies, worth more to the patriots than gold. 



Washington Crossing the Delaware 


In this battle, General Greene of Rhode Island was very 
helpful, foreshowing the skill that was yet to make him 
famous as Washington’s right arm, in the fighting that was to 
come. There was also a young soldier there, James Monroe, 
who was one day to be President of the nation for which he 
was fighting. 

Moving quickly, Washington recrossed the river with the 
captured Hessians and the spoils of war. 

It was a wonderful victory. It put new hope into the 
hearts of the patriot soldiers. “We will stay,” they cried, 
“even though our time of service ends at New Year’s Day. 
Get for us a little of the money that is due and we will stand 
by the general that can work wonders with us.” 





THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 


207 


257. Money for the Soldiers; Robert Morris.— In 

Philadelphia there lived a very wealthy man named Robert 
Morris. His heart was in the cause. Washington begged 
him to raise some money for the soldiers. With what he 
gave himself and what he got from his friends, Morris raised 
$50,000 and sent it to Washington, who paid it to his men. 
Robert Morris was born in 
England, but came to America 
when he was about thirteen 
years old. At the beginning of 
the Revolutionary War, he was 
one of the richest merchants in 
Philadelphia. He was a mem¬ 
ber of the Continental Congress 
and one of the signers of the 
Declaration of Independence. 

He obtained large sums of 
money .for the Continental 
Army and in this way was of 
great help in the campaign against Cornwallis. After the 
war, he framed a plan for paying off the public debt of the 
United States, but it failed because the different states would 
not agree to it. Robert Morris was one of the framers of 
our national Constitution and nominated Washington for 
president of the Constitutional Convention. After Wash¬ 
ington was elected President, he offered the place of Secretary 
of the Treasury to Morris, which the latter declined. When 
an old man, this great patriot lost his fortune, and under 
the laws of that period, suffered imprisonment for debt. 

258. Battle of Princeton. — Washington soon went back 
to Trenton and encamped. Cornwallis began to close in on 
Washington with his troops, and at length fronted him with 



Robert Morris 






208 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


a much greater force at Trenton. One night, January 2, 
1777, he saw Washington’s campfires twinkling in the dark¬ 
ness, and said, “I will bag the old fox in the morning.” 

With the coming of daylight the British advanced in battle 
lines, to take an easy victory. But, the “old fox” and his 
men had vanished, even as they had vanished from Brooklyn 
Heights. Leaving a few men to keep up the camp fires, and 
to make a noise as of digging, so as to deceive the enemy, 
Washington had moved away early in the night, and at day¬ 
break had attacked the British troops at Princeton. Instead 
of fighting a hopeless battle at Trenton, he won a brilliant 
victory at Princeton and captured a great number of prisoners. 

Washington’s second victory forced the British to give up 
their purpose of taking Philadelphia, and made them fall back 
to New York. He had regained New Jersey, and he now 
threatened the British at New York. The Hudson River 
was now, more than ever, safely in the hands of the Americans. 

259. Benjamin Franklin. — Soon after the Declaration of 
Independence, Franklin went to France to seek help for the 
new nation. While Cornwallis was chasing Washington, and 
the Americans seemed ready to give up, France was not 
inclined to give open aid. But after the victories of Trenton 
and Princeton, Franklin began to make headway in his work. 

Officers skilled in the art of war began coming to America, 
to serve under Washington — Lafayette, Baron De Kalb, 
Baron Steuben, Kosciusko, and others less famous. Money 
was loaned to Congress freely by France and Holland, and 
Franklin was promised further help. In many ways, 
Benjamin Franklin was the greatest American of the 18th 
century. As patriot and statesman, he was active and public- 
spirited, wise and prudent. Born in Boston, in 1706, the son 
of a candle-maker, he went at an early age to Philadelphia, 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 


209 


where he founded a newspaper. Soon afterward he began 
publishing Poor Richard’s Almanac , which became widely 
known. Postmaster at Philadelphia, he later became deputy- 
postmaster of the colonies, 
and for many years was a 
member of the Provincial 
Assembly of Pennsylvania. 

At the beginning of the 
French and Indian War, 

Franklin had prepared a 
“Plan of Union” of all the 
colonies, which was, however, 
rejected by the Colonial 
Congress sitting at Albany. 

The services and counsel of 
this wise man were as help¬ 
ful to England during the 
French and Indian War, as 
to the colonists during the struggle for independence from 
the mother country. 

This great statesman was the defender of the rights of the 
common people. Sent by the Pennsylvania Assembly, he 
appeared for the first time in England in 1752, to demand 
that in raising money for public purposes the land owned by 
the proprietors of that colony should bear its just share of tax¬ 
ation. At the request of several colonies, he visited England 
twelve years later, and protested not only against the pro¬ 
posed Stamp Act, but against all taxing of the colonies with¬ 
out their consent. To his efforts was largely due the repeal 
of the Stamp Act. He earnestly tried to prevent war be¬ 
tween Great Britain and the colonies. He was one of the 
makers and signers of the Declaration of Independence. 





210 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


During the Revolutionary War, Franklin was in France as 
an agent of this country, and was successful in procuring, by 
treaty, that help from the French people which was so neces¬ 
sary to us during the war. When our independence was won, 
he was one of the signers of the treaty between this country 



Franklin at the Court of France 

and England. Later, as a member of the executive council, 
he acted as governor of Pennsylvania, and was one of the 
framers of our Constitution. 

Not only a sincere and steadfast patriot, the many-sided 
Franklin was a searching student of the wonders of nature, 
as well as a skillful inventor. He proved that lightning and 
electricity are the same force. He introduced the lightning- 
rod and invented the Franklin stove. For his activities 
in science and statesmanship, he was honored both here and 
abroad. After many years of ceaseless activity and useful¬ 
ness, he died in Philadelphia in 1790. 







THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 


211 


260. The Campaign in New York State in 1777. — The 

British troops had been driven from New England, had failed 
to get control of the Hudson, and to take Philadelphia; nor 
had they gained a foothold in the South. 

In 1777 the king’s war managers planned to gain control 
of the Hudson and to carry the war into New England. They 
had ceased to consider the rebels a weak enemy, and they pre¬ 
pared to make their mightiest effort to conquer them. One 
army, under General Burgoyne, was to make its way south 
from Canada, by way of Lake Champlain to Albany, at the 
head of navigation on the Hudson. Another, under Colonel 
St. Leger, was to go by vessel up the St. Lawrence into 
Lake Ontario, and thence make its way eastward through 
the Mohawk Valley to Albany. Yet another army, under 
General William Howe, was to move from New York City, 
and make its way north to Albany. 

261. Burgoyne’s March. — Burgoyne’s army was the best 
that the English had in the field. He started with eight thou¬ 
sand men, and was joined by a body of several hundred 
Indians. He landed and easily took Fort Ticonderoga, and 
then tried to overtake the Americans, who were retreating to 
Fort George. General Schuyler, with a small army of Amer¬ 
icans, felled great trees across the roads, and in every way 
delayed the advance of the British, who for three weeks 
made scarcely a mile a day. At length Burgoyne reached 
Fort Edward, but both men and horses were suffering from 
starvation and weariness. 

262. Bennington. — There were at Bennington, not far 
away, large stores of supplies for the American troops. 
Burgoyne sent a thousand Hessian troops to Bennington 
to take the supplies, and to get the Tories there to join his 
force. The farmers, under Stark, met the Hessians at 


212 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Bennington, and killed or captured nearly all of them, August 
16, 1777. Instead of the Tories joining Burgoyne, many of 
them, maddened by the dreadful deeds of his Indian allies, 
joined the American army. 

263. St. Leger. — St. Leger’s army had made its way 
down the Mohawk Valley to Fort Schuyler, later called Fort 
Stanwix. Finding it too strong to be carried by assault, 
St. Leger and his troops surrounded it and tried to starve 
out its defenders. This gave the patriots of that part of 
the country a chance to gather, and a force under General 
Herkimer marched to attack St. Leger’s command. 

While the besieging force was weakened by the absence of 
those who had gone to fight Herkimer, the Americans in the 
fort rushed out and overran St. Leger’s camp, carrying back 
into the fort much plunder. 

Schuyler, facing Burgoyne, heard of the danger to Fort 
Schuyler, and sent to its aid a small force under General 
Arnold. Arnold by a shrewd trick, caused St. Leger to think 
that he was about to be overwhelmed by a great army. His 
Indians ran away, and St. Leger with his troops followed, 
not stopping until all were safe in Canada. 

264. Howe’s Army. — Howe’s army, that was to come up 
the Hudson, was needed, for St. Leger’s force had vanished, 
and Burgoyne’s was in great trouble, and yet far from 
Albany, where the armies were to meet. This army, had it 
gone forward as expected, might have saved Burgoyne and 
St. Leger from attack. Through a blunder in England, 
Howe had not received his orders to go up the Hudson, and 
so decided to move on Philadelphia. 

265. Howe Moves against Philadelphia. — The war-ships 
carried Howe’s force of 18,000 men up Chesapeake Bay to 
Maryland, and from there he marched on Philadelphia. But 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 


213 



Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga 

Washington attacked Howe at Germantown, near Philadel¬ 
phia, October 4, and though he did not win a victory, he 
taught Howe that he could spare no troops for New York. 
Howe’s failure to go to the help of Burgoyne sealed the fate 
of Burgoyne’s army, now hard pressed by Schuyler’s forces. 

266. Burgoyne at Saratoga. — On September 19, Burgoyne 
in a battle near Saratoga made a desperate attempt to fight 
his way clear. Neither army gained a victory, and on October 
7 , Burgoyne tried again, with no better success. He fell 
back to Saratoga and there, on the 17th, he surrendered 
his army. General Gates had been placed by Congress in 


Washington had been busy and his army stood between Howe 
and Philadelphia.^ 

Howe advanced, but was checked by Washington on the 
Brandywine River, at a crossing called Chad’s Ford. After 
a severe battle, in which the British suffered most, their 
stronger force compelled Washington to fall back, and Howe 
entered Philadelphia in September, 1777. 




214 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


command of the American troops, so the surrender was made 
to him. The credit of the victory was really due to Schuyler, 
and to Arnold and Morgan, who served under him. 

As we have seen, the bravery of old General Herkimer at 
Oriskany and of Colonel John Stark at Bennington deprived 
Burgoyne of aid from St. Leger and of much-needed supplies. 
The Battle of Saratoga, one of the decisive battles of the 
world, was hailed with rejoicing in this country and in France. 
The victory was of greatest importance to the colonists as it 
marked the turning of the tide of the Revolution, and led to 
a treaty with France, by which she became our ally until our 
independence was won. 

267. Valley Forge. — It mattered little where the British 
army was, Washington’s part was to hover near it, threatening 
it all the time, thus keeping it from being active. The British 
gained nothing in taking Philadelphia; they would have been 
better off at New York. Congress could work as well in 
another city as it could in Philadelphia. 

Winter was coming, and Washington went into winter 
quarters with his men, at a place about twenty miles from 
Philadelphia, called Valley Forge. From there he could watch 
Howe and attack him if he moved. It was a hard winter. 
While the British troops were well clad and well housed in 
Philadelphia, Washington’s men, living in huts, and only half 
supplied with food and clothes, suffered terribly. 

The winter was not wasted. Among the skillful officers 
that had come from Europe to help the Americans was Baron 
Steuben. All winter he taught the soldiers the drill of the 
Prussian army. When spring came, every man was a far 
better and more skillful soldier than he was when he went 
into camp the fall before. The British learned this, to their 
cost, during the year that followed. 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 


2I 5 


268. The Treaty with France. — The year 1778 opened full 
of promise to the Americans. Franklin had succeeded in his 
effort to get aid from France, and a treaty had been made, in 
February, between that country and the United States, under 
which the two nations were to fight England. France lent 
great sums of money, and sent a fleet and a small army to 
America, to fight under the command of Washington. France 
also caused Spain to declare war against England. 

I here was joy in America. Then it was that our first na¬ 
tional song was heard, and “Yankee Doodle” was sung in 
every village and camp. Notwithstanding the victory at Sara¬ 
toga, and the consequent French alliance, which so strength¬ 
ened the American cause, the English king still opposed the 
independence of the colonists. Bunker Hill, Lexington, 
Trenton, Princeton, and now Burgoyne’s defeat, had not 
taught him that his unrighteous cause could not prevail. 

269. English Leave Philadelphia; Monmouth. — Gen¬ 
eral Clinton had taken the place of General Howe at Phila¬ 
delphia. He knew that if his army remained there until the 
French arrived, Washington would attack him, and that with 
a French fleet in the Delaware, he would be forced to surren¬ 
der. In June, 1778, he started with 17,000 men for New York, 
but Washington caught his retreating army at Monmouth, 
New Jersey, and gave battle. General Charles Lee, who had 
been captured by the British, had been exchanged, and Wash¬ 
ington, not knowing his treachery, had given him his old 
command. At Monmouth, Lee disobeyed orders and Clin¬ 
ton’s army escaped to New York. Lee was driven out of the 
army, but not until many years after peace was declared 
was it known what a traitor he had been. The fight at Mon¬ 
mouth was the last important battle that took place in the 
North. 


2l6 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Washington, following Clinton, crossed the Hudson and en¬ 
camped at White Plains. Then, for nearly two years, he con¬ 
tinued to watch and to threaten the English army at New 
York, while the war went on at other points. 

270. The Iroquois Indians. — The Iroquois Indians in the 
Revolution fought on the side of the English and Tories. 

They had fought with St. Leger 
and Burgoyne, and in 1778, in 
parts of New York state and 
Pennsylvania, they had attacked 
the colonists with horrible sav¬ 
agery. In 1779, Washington 
sent an army to punish these 
Indians, and their homes were 
destroyed. This left them ex¬ 
posed to a severe winter and 
they fled to Canada, where 
hardships and sickness were so 
severe that their power was 
broken. 

271. The West. — Virginia had always claimed territory 
beyond the mountains in the West. Foreseeing that Eng¬ 
land was to be beaten in the war, Patrick Henry, who was 
governor of that state, sent a force under command of George 
Rogers Clarke to hold these lands, that they might be claimed 
from England when peace should be declared. Clarke 
captured some forts in the West that had been taken from 
the French, years before, but were now held by a few Brit¬ 
ish troops. Among these were Fort Vincennes in what is 
now Indiana, and the fort at Kaskaskia on the Mississippi 
River. Thus the West was won; for as Governor Henry 
had foreseen, it came to the young nation when peace was 



George Rogers Clark 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 


217 


declared, because it was held by the Americans. The Mis¬ 
sissippi River, instead of the Alleghany Mountains, became 
the western boundary of the early United States. 

272. Arnold’s Treason. — One traitor to the patriot 
cause was Charles Lee, and another betrayer of his country 
was a man who, in the early part of the war, was one of its 
greatest heroes, General Benedict Arnold. He was the hero 
of Quebec, drove St. Leger back to Canada, and, more than 
any other, brbught about the surrender of Burgoyne. He 
carried scars that were badges of honor, and he was admired 
and loved by Washington, who had placed him in command 
of Philadelphia. Arnold had been quarrelsome among his 
brother officers and although he was a very brave general he 
was selfish. Charges were made that his accounts were not 
correct and he was tried by court-martial and sentenced to 
be reprimanded by the Commander-in-Chief. Washington 
performed this task as gently as possible. Arnold, intent upon 
his own selfish interests, determined to turn traitor and go 
over to the British. 

The British wanted control of the Hudson River, which 
could be had by holding the fort at West Point. Arnold 
promised to get command of it and contrive that they 
should capture it. 

He asked Washington to give him command of West Point, 
and Washington granted his request. According to the bar¬ 
gain made with them, Arnold arranged for its capture by the 
British. For his treachery he was to receive a large sum of 
money and was to be made a colonel in the British army. A 
young British officer, Major Andre, was sent by the Eng¬ 
lish general to arrange for the taking of the fort. He was 
arrested near Tarrytown, on his way back to New York, 
after a talk with Arnold, and papers concerning the plot were 


2l8 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


found upon him. Arnold, discovering that his treason was 
known, fled from the fort to a British ship in the river, and 
escaped. During the rest of the war he fought on the British 
side. After the war he was despised and hated as a traitor 
both in this country and in London, where he died without 
friends. Andre was hanged as a spy. 

273. John Paul Jones. — Little fighting was done on the 
ocean in the early years of the war, although the thirteen 
vessels ordered by Congress, in 1775? had been built. The 
first American warship to capture a British war vessel was 
the brig Lexington , commanded by John Barry. This boat 
sailed from Philadelphia. Commander Barry, who was born 
in county Wexford, Ireland, although only thirty-one years 
of age, had become a great sea captain as the master of a 
vessel. He was once offered a heavy bribe to give up a ship 
to the British but spurned the offer. On Christmas Day, 
1779, Barry sailed from Boston for France to run the British 
blockade and take General Lafayette on an important mission 
to that country. At the close of the war the United States 
established a new navy and Barry was named the senior 
officer and given command of the frigate United States, the 
construction of which he had supervised. 

The people of New Hampshire furnished a ship called the 
Ranger which did much damage to English shipping. John 
Paul Jones was the commander of this ship. He was born 
in Scotland. His father’s name was Paul and he was named 
John Paul but several years after he became of age he added 
the name Jones. He was the first to hoist the American flag 
on a warship. The French had fitted up and armed a mer¬ 
chant vessel which they named the Bon Homme Richard. 

Jones was made her captain and although she was not a 
strong fighting craft, what she lacked in strength was made 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 


219 


up by the bravery of her commander. Cruising off the coast 
of England, Jones fell in with the British war ship, Serapis, 
and running alongside he lashed the vessels together. Thus 
the fighting became hand to hand. 

“Do you surrender?” shouted the English captain. “I 
have not yet begun to fight,” answered Jones, though his 



The Siege oe Charleston 
After the painting by A. Chappel 


rigging was in tatters, his timbers shattered, and his decks 
covered with dead. The Serapis had the better of it 
until a sailor of The Richard, fearlessly lashed in the rig¬ 
ging, threw firebrands into the hatchway of the Serapis 
and ignited the powder, which blew up the magazine. 

274. The War in the South. — In 1778 the British landed 
in Georgia, took Savannah and some smaller towns, and in a 
short time the state was under their control. In 1780 a large 
part of the British army of the North, under Clinton and 








220 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Cornwallis, was sent south by sea, and landed at Savannah. 
Thence the army moved to Charleston, which was taken with 
three thousand prisoners. This was the first important suc¬ 
cess that had come to the British for a long time, and Clin¬ 
ton went back to New York, leaving Cornwallis in command. 

Small bands of patriots commanded by Marion, Sumter, 
and Pickens, who knew every foot of forest, field, and swamp 
of that wild country, constantly annoyed the British. The 
work of these roving bands was valuable, not only because of 
the trouble it made for the enemy, but also on account of the 
spirit which it stirred up among the people, thus preventing 
this section from passing into the hands of the enemy. 

Washington, knowing how needful it was to help the 
patriots in South Carolina and Georgia, wished to send one 
of his best generals there with troops from the North. He 
chose General Greene for this purpose, but General Gates 
went to Congress, and succeeded in getting himself appointed 
in place of Greene. 

275. Battle of Camden. — Gates went south and Cornwal¬ 
lis defeated his army at Camden, South Carolina, in August, 
1780. Baron De Kalb fought gallantly, but Gates ran away 
and at length the patriots were forced from the field. Gates 
had brought upon the Americans one of the worst defeats 
that they had as yet sustained. 

Encouraged by this victory, the British forced the fighting 
and by early fall had subdued South Carolina more fully than 
ever. The Tories had rallied for the king and there was 
bitter strife between them and the patriots of the state. 

276. Battle of King’s Mountain. — Moving to North Caro¬ 
lina, Cornwallis raised a force of about twelve hundred men, 
and sent them into the mountainous parts of South and 
North Carolina to rally the d ories there. The backwoods 



iMttebjjrg 

(ForJpPiil); 


LtfVernoi 


- 4 > (*fo M. ^ 

ijiFreaei'icksburg'*'—>' 
s X i '# s S 

" <^je%CharlottesKiIle 


Richmond 


~WiUia.msbu] 

-’So ? 1 


Norfolk 


3§ing| Mou/it a .- 


(Charlotte or 
* Mecklenburg 
■'(Court House 


Camden' 


^iTgxista.*fe. 


Eutacw Springs 


REFERENCE MAP FOR THE REVOLUTION 
SOUTHERN STATES 1 


























THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 


221 


hunters and farmers attacked this force at King’s Mountain, 
in South Carolina, defeating it disastrously. On hearing of 
this defeat, Cornwallis moved back into South Carolina. 

Taught a lesson by the defeat of Gates, Congress now 
allowed Washington to send General Nathaniel Greene to 
take charge in the South. Greene had only about two 
thousand men, half clad, and with few weapons. 

Thus, at the beginning of 1781, Washington, waiting for a 
chance to strike, was watching Clinton in the North, and 
Greene, his best general, with an almost hopeless task before 
him, was in the South. 

Knowing that Cornwallis proposed moving into North 
Carolina, Greene, dividing his small force, sent Morgan 
against him in one direction, while he took another. Tarle- 
ton, the ablest officer that Cornwallis had, was sent to look 
for Morgan, who defeated him at the battle of Cowpens. 

Cornwallis now began to pursue Greene’s weak force, which 
had been joined by Morgan’s band. Greene fell back across 
North Carolina into Virginia, where he received reinforce¬ 
ments, and coming back to North Carolina fought Cornwal¬ 
lis at Guilford Court House. Though the British were not 
driven from the field, they suffered a severe loss and fell back 
to the coast at Wilmington, whence they moved to Virginia. 
Greene in a few months had regained all of the South except 
Wilmington, Charleston, and Savannah. 

277. Yorktown. — Cornwallis retreated into Virginia, to 
join Arnold, the traitor, who was in command of a force there. 
Opposed to Arnold, was a force of patriots under Lafayette. 
Cornwallis took command of the British troops and thought 
prudent to fall back to the coast, so that in case of need, the 
British fleet could help him. He went to Yorktown on Ches¬ 
apeake Bay, which he fortified, and waited there. 


222 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


It was now October, 1781, and there were British forces at 
Savannah, Charleston, Yorktown, and New York. Greene 
was looking after the forces in the South, Washington was 

attending to those 
at New York, La¬ 
fayette was closing 
in on the force at 
Yorktown, and a 
French fleet bearing 
an army was com¬ 
ing from France. 

278. — The Sur¬ 
render of Cornwallis. 
—Washington gave 
up his purpose of at¬ 
tacking Clinton and 
started south. This 
was one of the swift 
and sudden moves, 
such as he had made 
for Trenton and 
Princeton. 

The great general knew that Lafayette had penned Corn¬ 
wallis in at Yorktown. He also knew that a French fleet, 
that would keep the British fleet from helping Cornwallis, 
would soon be in the bay. General Clinton was bewildered 
by Washington’s movement and at first took it to be a skill¬ 
ful plan to attack him. By the time he came to understand 
it, Washington was far away on his march to Yorktown, and 
too far to be annoyed by pursuit. In eleven days Washing¬ 
ton’s men marched three hundred miles, and Clinton’s forces 
could not have moved fast enough to overtake them. 



Sketch-map of Yorktown 


AA = French and American batteries 
BB = French batteries C = British redoubt 
RRR = French ships 

















































The Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, October 19, 1781 

From the painting by Trumbull, in the Capitol at Washington 












224 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


The French ships, having driven off a British fleet sent from 
New York, met Washington at the head of Chesapeake Bay 
and carried his men to York town. The army of Cornwallis 
was doomed. On October 19, 1781, Cornwallis and his army 
of about seven thousand men were captured. 

279. Peace. — The British troops remained in Charleston, 
Savannah, and New York for many months; but the fighting 
was over and arrangements for a settlement were being made. 
On the 19th of April, 1783, exactly eight years from the day 
when the British fired on the Minute-men at Lexington, 
the Continental army was disbanded by order of Con¬ 
gress. 

280. The Treaty. — In the peace settlement, there were 
many things to be considered. France and Spain were parties 
to the war. Each had much to say as to the terms of peace. 
France had given generous help and wanted to regain at 
least some of the territory she had lost in the French and 
Indian War. She had hopes also that some of the lands west 
of the mountains might come to her, and she did not favor 
giving it all to the United States. But the American states¬ 
men, Franklin, Adams, and Jay, gained what they demanded, 
as follows: 

1st. The new nation was to be absolutely independent of 
England. 

2d. The Mississippi River was to be the western boundary. 

3d. The fishermen of New England and all the rest of the 
country were to be free to fish, as much as they might choose, 
on the Banks of Newfoundland. 

Florida was given to Spain. What was then known as 
Florida took in the whole of the peninsula and the land for 
many miles back from the coast along the Gulf of Mexico 
to the Mississippi River. As Spain already held the land west 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 


225 


of the great river, she was then the neighbor of the United 
States on the south and west. England, holding Canada, 
was neighbor on the north, the eastern front of the United 
States being the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The treaty 
of peace was signed, at Paris, France, September 3, 1783. 

281. The Greatness of Washington. — George Washington, 
our first President, was born in Virginia, February 22, 1732. 
In early life he was a public surveyor, and as such gained a 
knowledge of the surrounding country which was later of 
much value to him when he led his soldiers through the 
wilderness. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress 
and was chosen commander-in-chief of the Continental armies. 
His untiring energy caused the British to evacuate Boston, 
while the battles of Trenton and Princeton stamped him as 
one of the greatest generals in the history of war. After the 
surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, he was the victim of a 
base plot to deprive him of his command. This happened 
when, with heroic patience and bravery, he was holding to¬ 
gether his starving and freezing soldiers at Valley Forge. 

He gave his service to his country without pay, asking only 
that his necessary expenses might be paid. 

As time passes we are better able to measure the greatness 
of Washington. His genius as a soldier had won him success 
against the skill of England’s best generals, commanding her 
best troops, and armed with the best weapons then known. 
His greatness as a man enabled him to overcome treachery, 
slander, and lack of support. His second in command, forced 
on him by a weak Congress, was a traitor; his unpaid and 
starving troops were often inclined to leave him. There were 
jealousies in his army between troops from different colonies; 
and quarrels among his officers, many of whom, unfit for their 
positions, had been appointed by Congress against his wishes. 


226 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Never before, in the history of war, have the great qualities 
of any one man shone forth more grandly than did those of 
Washington in the great rebellion which his genius and devo¬ 
tion turned into a great Revolution. 

SUMMARY 

1. The British troops at Boston. 

2. Gage sends a force to Lexington and Concord to destroy supplies. 

3. Skirmish with the Minute-men at Lexington. 

4. The British are attacked by the Minute-men at Concord Bridge and flee. 

5. Gage is besieged in Boston. 

6. Forts Ticonderoga and Crown Point with great stores of supplies are taken. 

7. The second Continental Congress meets at Philadelphia. 

8. The Battle of Bunker Hill, a dearly bought British victory. 

9. Washington is made Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. 

10. Attempt to take Quebec and Montreal. The attack on Quebec fails. 

11. The British driven from Boston. 

12. British attempt to take the Carolinas ends in failure. 

13. Washington moves his troops to Brooklyn. 

14. The king hires Hessian soldiers. 

15. Congress adopts The Declaration of Independence. Fourth of July. 

16. Battle of Long Island; Washington defeated. 

17. Washington retreats to the Harlem River. 

18. Battle of Trenton. 

19. Escape of Washington’s army. Battle of Princeton. 

20. Promise of aid from France. 

21. British campaign. Surrender of Burgoyne. 

22. The British take Philadelphia. 

23. Valley Forge. 

24. France aids the colonies. 

25. The British give up Philadelphia. 

26. George Rogers Clarke occupies the Northwest Territory. 

27. John Paul Jones defeats the British on the sea. 

28. General Arnold turns traitor and tries to deliver West Point to the British. 

29. The British victory over General Gates at Camden. 

30. British defeats in South Carolina. 

31. Greene and Cornwallis at Guilford Court House. Cornwallis retreats. 

32. Greene drives the British out of the Carolinas. 

33. Cornwallis retires to Yorktown. 

34. Surrender of Cornwallis. Treaty of Peace. End of the War. 


THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR 


227 


QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. Why was General Gage sent to occupy Boston with British troops? Why 

did he send some of his force to Lexington and Concord? 

2. What two forts were taken by the patriot soldiers in the northern part of 

New York State, shortly after the fight at Concord and Lexington? In 
what war had these forts been taken before? 

3. Why was the capture of these forts important to the patriots? 

4. When did the second Continental Congress meet? Where? What was 

done by this Congress? 

5. Give an account of the first great battle of the war. 

6. Give an account of the movement against Quebec and Montreal. 

7. When were the British driven out of Boston? How did they go and to 

what place? 

8. Who were the Hessians? 

9. What two battles were won in the winter of 1776-1777 by the Americans? 

Why were these victories important? 

10. What leading American citizen was in France, seeking aid for his country? 

11. What was the British plan of campaign for 1777? Name three British 

generals who were to take part in the campaign. What was each to do? 
What was the result of this British campaign? What American generals 
were opposed to the British during this campaign? Where did the 
principal fighting occur? 

12. Why did Howe fail to do his part in the campaign? Where did he go? Who 

opposed him? What battle was fought? 

13. Where was Washington’s army encamped during the winter of 1777-1778? 

Who did valuable work in drilling Washington’s soldiers during that 
winter? 

14. Why did George Rogers Clarke go west with troops? Did he succeed? 

15. What prominent American general became a traitor to his country? 

When? What fort did he try to surrender to the British? Why was 
the position of that fort important? 

16. Give an account of John Paul Jones’s greatest sea fight. 

17. What American general was first sent to the Carolinas to drive out the 

British? Was he successful? Who was put in his place? 

18. Name two important battles occurring in South Carolina. One in North 

Carolina. 

19. When did Cornwallis surrender? Where? To whom? What treaty was 

signed ending the war? When? Where? What was settled by this 
treaty? What territory went to Spain by this treaty? What nation 
held the land west of the Mississippi River at the close of the war? 


CHAPTER XII 


ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION — THE CONSTITUTION 

282. The States, after the War for Independence to the 
War of 1812.— Most of the people in these new states spoke 
English. There were, however, Dutch in New York, and 
scattered throughout the country were people who had come 
from different parts of Europe. Throughout the states 
there were differences in occupations and manner of living, 
owing to differences in climate and character of country. 

There were no large plantations in the North as there were 
in the larger stretches of level country in the hot South. The 
climate in the northern states prevented the cultivation of 
rice and cotton, and thus, slave-labor not being needed there, 
slavery was gradually abolished in that section of the country. 

The people of the New England states were ship builders, 
fishermen, manufacturers, merchants, and farmers, while 
those of the South were planters and owners of slaves. 

There were disputes between the people of New England 
and those of the southern states with regard to the carrying 
trade. New England, which was a ship-building section, 
wanted to secure all of the business of carrying goods in ships 
by excluding British vessels from American ports. The south¬ 
ern states, on the other hand, desired that cotton, rice, and 
other products of that region, should be shipped in the vessels 
of any nation that wished to buy them. Tariff taxes were 
also laid upon goods carried for sale from one state to 
another, — and this caused ill-feeling between the different 
states. The eastern states were willing to give to Spain control 


ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION 


229 


of the lower Mississippi River in return for the trade of that 
country and her colonies. Those Americans living on the 
banks of that river objected to this, as it shut off their goods 
from being carried to the sea, except upon such terms as the 
Spanish might choose. This caused ill-feeling between the 
people of the East and those of the West. Trouble between 
states also arose because certain states, which had large 
harbors for shipping, laid taxes upon goods coming to their 
ports and intended for other states. 

283. Articles of Confederation. — From the time of the 
Declaration of Independence to about the close of the war, 
the states, in so far as they formed a nation, were governed 
by the Continental Congress. The Congress had been 
simply meetings of men sent by the several states to speak 
for them. There were no strong laws by which it could 
control. No state could be made to obey Congress. 

As the war went on, it began to appear that there was need 
of a stronger union, to prevent the states from drifting apart. 
Without stronger bonds, there could be no United States such 
as the Declaration of Independence named. 

In 1776 a committee of Congress drew up a plan of Union 
of the states called The Articles of Confederation. Many 
states were slow in ratifying the Articles of Confederation 
owing to disputes about claims to land west of the Alleghany 
Mountains. The states making no claims to such land said 
that it should be allotted to all the states alike. This diffi¬ 
culty was met when the states claiming these lands finally 
ceded them to the United States. Under the Articles of Con¬ 
federation Congress alone had the power of making treaties, 
yet it could not enforce them, if the states withheld their 
consent. Under them Congress had not much more power 
over the states than it had before. It could declare war, 


230 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


but it could not raise troops. It could declare a tax, but 
it could not collect it. As one great statesman well said, 
“ Congress could declare anything, but could do nothing.” 
After the war, when Congress wanted money with which 
to pay the troops, it had no power to compel the states 
to furnish it. The Articles of Confederation provided for 
no Supreme Federal Court, and the Congress consisted of 
only one body, representing not the people, but the several 
states. Each state had only one vote, no matter how many 
delegates it might have in Congress. The Confederation 
Congress could take no action without the consent of nine 
states, and the Articles of Confederation could not be 
changed or amended without the consent of all the states. 
Where there had been thirteen colonies, each one independent 
of the others, there were now thirteen states, almost as 
independent of one another as they had been before. 

The common danger of war had kept the states together, 
but now that the war had ended, they were busy with their 
own interests and lost respect for the Congress that had no 
power. Some of the states at times even failed to send del¬ 
egates to Congress. This lessened the chance of Congress 
having the nine votes necessary to pass any measure, and 
made it almost impossible for the Articles to be amended. 
Neither before nor after the adoption of the Articles of Con¬ 
federation did Congress have more than slight control over 
the states. And yet the Articles had been framed to make a 
“perpetual union” of the states. 

Most of the suffering of the troops during the war was 
due to the refusal of the states to supply money when it 
was called for by Congress. The United States, as far as they 
were united, had no President or officer to serve as a 
general governor of the nation. 


ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION 


231 




284. Hard Times. — Money was scarce; hard times came. 
State after state began to issue paper money, as they had 
done during the war. The national money had become 
worthless, and the money of the states was not much better. 
England placed heavy taxes on all goods from the United 
States, thus injuring American commerce, while, under the 
Articles of Confederation, the United States Congress had no 
power, unless by con¬ 
sent of all the states, 
to tax English goods 
coming to this coun¬ 
try. The nation was 
deeply in debt, and so 

was each state. So 
. 1 11 1 Copper Cent struck soon after the Peace 

also were nearly all the 

business men. Hundreds of houses and farms were seized 
by the sheriffs and sold for taxes or for debts, and worthy 
people, for no fault of their own, lost their property. There 
was such a strong feeling against high taxes and worthless 
money that riots occurred in some parts of the country. 

Daniel Shays of Massachusetts, who had been a captain in 
the Continental Army, raised a force of about a thousand 
men and going to Springfield, Mass., tried to seize the arms 
and ammunition at the national armory. This showed that 
the people were ready to fight against distressful taxes. 

285. Leading Men. — Washington was as free with his 
advice, as a citizen, as he had been with his services as a 
soldier. People began to see that he was as great as a states¬ 
man, as he had been as a general. As he had been first in war, 
he was now first in peace, and more than ever he had come 
to stand first in the hearts of his countrymen. He declared 
that only a strong central government could save the country. 
















232 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


There were others than Washington who were great men. 
Alexander Hamilton of New York was one; James Madison 
of Virginia and Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania were 
others. John Jay was another; Thomas Jefferson, who 
wrote the Declaration of Independence, was yet another. 

Alexander Hamilton was born in one of the islands of 
the West Indies in 1757. When fifteen years of age he 

came to the American colonies. 
After attending school in New 
Jersey, he entered Kings, now 
Columbia College, in New York 
City. There were many Tories 
in New York at that time who 
were very bitter in their feelings 
toward the American patriots. 
While a student in New York, 
and still under twenty years of 
age, young Hamilton made an 
eloquent and patriotic speech in 
defence of American liberty. 
This speech at once stamped him as a youth of much 
promise and brought him into public notice. 

He served as a lieutenant in the battle of Long Island, 
covering the retreat of the Americans with great skill. He 
was with Washington at Trenton and Princeton, and led a 
desperate and successful charge at the siege of York town. 
He was for a time secretary and aide to the commander-in¬ 
chief. Hamilton was a great leader in the cause of Ameri¬ 
can independence, becoming after the war a lawyer and a 
member of the Confederation Congress. He was a delegate 
to the convention which framed our national Constitution 
and did more than any one else to secure its passage and 



Alexander Hamilton 




ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION 


233 



The United States at the Close of the Revolution 





















































234 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


ratification. In this effort he was ably helped by James 
Madison and John Jay. He became secretary of the treasury 
in Washington’s cabinet and proposed a scheme for raising 
money for public expenses, which was in use for many years. 
He used his influence to defeat Aaron Burr for the Presi¬ 
dency in 1800, and for the governorship of the state of New 
York in 1804. This so angered Burr that he sent a challenge 
to Hamilton to fight a duel. The two men met at Weehawken, 
on the shore of the Hudson River opposite New York City. 
Hamilton was killed and the entire nation mourned his loss. 
His grave is in Trinity churchyard, New York City. 

286. The Ordinance of 1787. — One question before Con¬ 
gress was: What shall be done with the great country reach¬ 
ing to the Mississippi west of the mountains? By the treaty 
of peace, England had given up her claim to this vast stretch 
of land. Some of the states remembered that, as colonies, 
they had owned lands beyond the mountains. The people of 
Virginia said that their state reached to the Mississippi River, 
and a like claim was made by the people of North Carolina, 
South Carolina, and Georgia. Connecticut claimed a wide 
strip west of Pennsylvania, reaching to the great river, and 
Massachusetts claimed another lying north of that of Con¬ 
necticut. New York also had claims to western lands. 

One by one, the states gave up their land to the nation, 
until nearly all the country west of the Alleghanies, east of 
the Mississippi, and north of the Ohio, belonged to the United 
States. Much of this great extent of land was rich and 
fertile, and people began to settle there. They urged Con¬ 
gress to make laws for that country, and in 1787 Congress 
passed the Ordinance of 1787 for the Government of the 
Northwest Territory. What was then the Northwest Terri¬ 
tory is now the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and 


THE CONSTITUTION 


235 


Wisconsin. Among other things it was settled: That there 
should be no slavery in that territory; that all living there 
should enjoy absolute freedom of religion; that public 
schools should be built and means found for keeping them up; 
that when there were people enough, the territory should be 
divided into states, which should be admitted into the Union 
of the United States. 

This was the wisest and most important law that the old 
Confederation Congress, 1781 to 1789, passed. 

287. Constitution of the United States. — As the weakness 
of the Articles of Confederation became clearly seen, it was 
determined to change them. This result was reached at a 
convention held at Annapolis in 1786, at which, however, 
delegates from only a few states were present. This conven¬ 
tion urged that a meeting of delegates from all the states 
should be held for the purpose of changing the Articles of 
Confederation. In the latter part of May, 1787, men sent 
by their states met at Philadelphia to plan for improvements 
in the Articles of Confederation, and Washington was chosen 
president of the meeting. Instead of changing the Articles, 
the convention after four months’ work framed a body of 
laws which was to take the place of them. This new body of 
laws was called The Constitution of the United States. Con¬ 
gress declared on September 13, 1788, nine states having 
agreed to it, that the Constitution was in force. Later all 
the states ratified it, Rhode Island and North Carolina 
being the last to do so. 

288. Slavery. — There were many in the United States 
who had long believed that slavery was an evil, and in some 
states it had been declared unlawful. In 1780 Massachu¬ 
setts took such action, and the freeing of the slaves was begun 
in Pennsylvania. At about this time New Hampshire forbade 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


236 

slavery, and so did Rhode Island and Connecticut. The 
feeling against slavery was strong in all the states. The law 
that forbade slavery in the Northwest Territory was voted 
for by members of Congress from the southern states, as well 
as by those from states that had taken action against slavery. 

Some of the makers of the Constitution wanted the bring¬ 
ing of slaves to this country forbidden, but others objected to 
this. So it was agreed that the Constitution should not 
prohibit the slave trade until 1808. But it was not stated 
that even then it should be forbidden. 

289. Industries. — Blessed by liberty and peace, the people 
of the United States began to prosper. Farming went on in 
all the states, and since the war manufacturing, no longer 
kept down by England, had increased. In 1783 clock-mak¬ 
ing began in Connecticut, where it is still an important indus¬ 
try. In that year the first woolen-goods factory was built, 
at Newburyport, Mass. At the same time the making of 
cotton sewing-thread began at Pawtucket, R.I., where it is 
still carried on. In 1784 an American ship made a voyage 
to China, which was the beginning of a great American 
ocean trade. 

290. The First President. — Under the Constitution, the 

nation was to have a President; and who was so worthy to 
have that honor as George Washington? He was elected 
President, with John Adams as Vice-President, in February, 
1789. New York City was then the capital of the United 
States, and Washington went to New York to take office. 
On April 30, 1789, he stood on the balcony of Federal Hall, 
where now stands the Sub-Treasury building in Wall Street, 
New York City, and took the oath of office. The men whom 
the President chooses as his immediate advisers and who are 
the heads of the various departments of the government, 


THE CONSTITUTION 


237 

form what is called the President’s cabinet. The first 
National Congress formed the Departments of State, Treas¬ 
ury, War, and the office of Attorney-General. President 
Washington’s cabinet was made up of the men whom he chose 
as heads of these departments. They were as Secretaries of 



Washington taking the Oath as President 


State, Treasury, War, and as Attorney-General — Thomas 
Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Edmund 
J. Randolph. 

Other departments have been added to the foregoing from 
time to time until there are now ten in all, each headed by a 
cabinet officer. The six additional departments are those 
of the Navy, Post-Office, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, 
and Labor. 



















































































238 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


291. Population; Character of the Country. — When Wash¬ 
ington became President there were less than four million 
people living in our country, and of these about one-seventh 
were slaves. All, except perhaps a hundred thousand, dwelt 
east of the Alleghany Mountains. Indians lived in the West, 
and in all the states the land was largely covered with forests. 

The cities were small, Philadelphia being the largest, with 
forty-five thousand people. The United States started as a 
new nation in a new country, and no other nation ever had 
such promise of wealth and greatness. Here was endless land, 
never touched by the plow, so rich that it would yield ample 
harvests for centuries. Here was a coast, hundreds of miles 
long, with the best harbors in the world. Here were great 
rivers, on which the riches of the land might be floated to the 
sea. Here was water power for machinery, that could be 
made to do as much work as could be done by millions of 
horses. The forests would yield lumber to supply the world, - 
and the hills were filled with the ores of iron, copper, lead, and 
the precious metals. 

As the country gave promise of great things, so did the 
people. They were bred from the best stock of the human 
race. They were gifted with good qualities. They were 
inventive, quick to see the bounties of nature, and skilful in 
making use of them. 

292. Amendments to the Constitution. — It could not be 
expected that the Constitution as it was at first drawn would 
prove perfect. It was found that there were ways in which 
it could be made better. During Washington’s Presidency 
ten amendments or additions were made to the Constitution 
as others have been since. The reasons for this are plain. 

Some of the states were a great distance from others. There 
were differences in climate, in ways of living, and in thinking 


THE CONSTITUTION 


239 


in the different states. Thus the people could not agree 
as well about the Constitution as they would have done 
had all lived in one state. 

There were few roads, and travel was mainly by water. 
People who lived far apart, since they saw and knew so little 
of one another, were more interested, each in his own state 
and its affairs, than in a plan for the government of all the 
states. Thus, to meet the wants of the different states, and 
to make more sure the success of the nation, nine other 
amendments to the Constitution have been made at later 
times, making nineteen in all. 

293. Tariff. — England meant to prevent the new nation 
from succeeding in manufactures and commerce, because 
such prosperity would injure her trade. The English wished 
to sell in America, and at the same time prevent Americans 
from selling in England. American statesmen declared that 
the young industries of this country should be “protected,’’ 
and that taxes should be laid on goods from Europe, to make 
them more costly. This would cause buyers in this country 
to choose American-made goods, as being cheaper, and would 
give American manufacturers a better chance to sell. The 
taxes collected would be useful in paying the expenses of the 
government and in lessening the national debt. Tariff laws 
were passed in 1789, and thus began the “protective tariff’’ 
that has been such a matter of dispute in the politics of our 
country ever since. 

294. The Capital. — It was thought best that the capital 
of the nation should be near the center of the country. The 
first Congress decided that after the year 1800 Washington 
should be the capital city, Philadelphia being the capital until 
that time. It was not believed that the population would 
extend so far westward as it has. No one thought that the 


240 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


United States would be more than an Atlantic-slope country, 
and Washington lay midway between Maine and Georgia. 

295. The Census. — According to the Constitution, the 
number of Representatives in Congress from each state is 
fixed by its population. To carry out this law the population 
of each state must be determined from time to time. So 



Washington from the Potomac in 1800 


the census was established, which provides for a counting of 
the people of the entire country once in ten years. The 
first census was taken in 1790, and since then a census has 
been taken every ten years. 

296. Debts; Coinage; Banking. — During the war, Con¬ 
gress had borrowed great sums of money in our own country, 
and had also borrowed heavily from France and Holland. 
The notes given by the nation had fallen in value, because 
of doubt that they would be paid. But they were the nation’s 
notes, and honor demanded that they should be met. The 
payment of the debt was a great political question. It was 
finally decided that all the country’s debts should be paid. 









THE CONSTITUTION 


241 


The nation needed a system of coinage and, abandoning the 
English system of pounds, shillings, and pence, established a 
decimal system, using for its money cents, dimes, and dollars. 
Up to the time of the issue of American coins, the Spanish 
silver dollar had been in common use as a trading coin. In 
1792 a mint for making coins was established at Philadel¬ 
phia, and also a national bank called the Bank of the United 
States, with branches in the leading cities of the country. 
The question of having a national bank was made a matter 
of politics, many people believing that the Constitution gave 
the government no power to found one. 

297. New States. — During Washington’s first term of 
office, Vermont, which had been claimed by both New York 
and New Hampshire, was admitted to the Union as a state. 
The western part of North Carolina, known as Tennessee, 
and the western part of Virginia, called Kentucky, were also 
joined to the Union. 

298. Parties. — As people became used to the new form 
of government differences of opinion arose and there sprang 
up two great parties. One, the Federal party, believed that 
the nation should have greater power than the separate states. 
The other, the Republican party, held that the nation had 
little authority over state affairs. This party was later 
called the Democratic-Republican party. The first party 
held that the nation was an indivisible union of states to be 
governed as a whole. The other inclined to the belief that 
the people of the United States, as a whole, could not bind 
the individual states by any agreement, if one or more of 
these states should decide to break it. This difference of 
opinion never ceased until, after many years, it was decided 
by a terrible war that this nation is not a mere partnership 
of states. 


242 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


299. The French Republic. — In 1789 there was a rev¬ 
olution in France, when the people overthrew the kingly 
government and established a republic. 

The States-Rights or Democratic-Republican party, led by 
Jefferson, was in full sympathy with the French Revolutionists 
and held that, since the French had helped us in our Revolu¬ 
tion, we should help them. It was not wise for the United 
States to go very far in support of the French people in 
all that they were doing. So thought Washington and 
Hamilton and their followers, the party in power; for by 
this time, Washington had been re-elected and was now 
serving his second term as President. France, the republic, 
had declared war against England and Spain, and demanded 
that the United States should join in fighting those nations. 

The Democratic party, led by Jefferson, favored the de¬ 
mands of the French, but the Federalists opposed them. In 
1793, President Washington issued a Proclamation of Neutral¬ 
ity to the effect that the United States would not meddle 
with the affairs of nations in Europe. 

300. The Cotton Gin. — There was not much profit in 
growing cotton in those days, because of the slow and tedious 
labor of separating the fibre from the seeds. 

In 1793 an ingenious New Englander, named Eli Whitney, 
was in the South where he saw slaves picking cotton from the 
seed by hand. He made a machine which he called a cotton- 
gin, by means of which hundreds of pounds of fibre could be 
separated from the seeds each day. This invention made 
cotton-growing very profitable and thus fixed slavery firmly 
in the South, because larger cotton crops could be profitably 
raised, and thus more slaves were needed. 

301. The National Government Uses its Power. — The 
government needed money, and among other taxes, was one 


THE CONSTITUTION 


243 



on whiskey. Raising corn and making it into whiskey was 
the only way in which some farmers could get money. The 
tax on whiskey ruined their business, and they declared 
that they would not pay it. 

It was a matter between men 
of the state of Pennsylvania 
and the general government. 

It was to be seen whether the 
nation could enforce its laws in 
a state. The nation’s officers 
were at first driven away, while 
others, sent by the President to 
explain, were not given a hear¬ 
ing. At length an army of fif¬ 
teen thousand men was sent to 
Pennsylvania, and at this show 
of force the farmers gave way. 

The national government had 
shown that it could not only 
make a law, but could enforce 
it in a state. 

302. America’s Chance for 

Greater Commerce. — The war between France and England 
went on, and each nation swept the commerce of the other 
from the sea. The carrying of goods was done largely by 
American vessels, and they were very busy, earning great 
profits for their owners. Many were used to carry food-stuffs 
to the two nations. Wages paid to American seamen were 
higher than those paid by English shipowners. Many 
English sailors deserted, and took service on American 
vessels. This made British merchant-ships and naval vessels 
shorthanded. 



Cotton Gin 

The upper figure shows Whitney’s 
invention. The lower figure 
shows a later one. 

























244 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


303. Our Vessels Searched for Sailors. — England did 
not like to lose her sailors and she tried to stop their enter¬ 
ing service on American ships. English cruisers halted and 
searched all American vessels to see if there might be 
British deserters on board. If there were any sturdy, strong¬ 
looking sailors on the American vessels, the British naval 
officers took them, whether they were deserters or not. The 
course of England made the followers of Jefferson more 
eager for war in behalf of France. 

304. The Jay Treaty. — In 1794 Washington tried to stop 
the “ impressment ” of our seamen, by a treaty with England 
known as the “Jay Treaty.” It was not a fair settlement, 
and left some matters in dispute, England still holding that 
she had the right to search our ships for supposed English 
deserters. Jefferson and his party urged war; but Washing¬ 
ton was wiser and war was avoided. 

305. The Spanish Treaty. — The Mississippi River flowed 
for many miles through the Spanish country, and it was only 
by it that the American farmers in its valley could send 
products to the sea. The Spaniards would not let the goods 
go through, but in 1795 a treaty was made with Spain which 
opened the way for our western products to reach the sea. 

306. A New President. — Washington might have been 
chosen President a third time but refused to hold the office 
again and retired to private life. In his farewell address, he 
charged his countrymen to preserve the Union, to keep it 
strictly honest in all its dealings, and to have nothing to do 
with the affairs of European nations. He advised the for¬ 
mation of a national militia, and also declared that public 
education was of the first importance and urged the forming 
of “institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge.” He 
died at Mount Vernon in 1799. 


THE CONSTITUTION 


245 


Washington was followed as President by John Adams of 
Massachusetts, a statesman whose ideas of the way the 
country should be governed were 
like those of the great man he 
succeeded. Thomas Jefferson 
was the new Vice-President. 

During President Adams’ ad¬ 
ministration Acts were passed 
by Congress which were not 
liked by the Democratic-Repub¬ 
lican party, whose leader was 
Thomas Jefferson. Under one 
of these, the President could 
order any foreigner who, in his 
opinion, was working against 
the government to leave the country. By another Act, any 
one who spoke or wrote too freely or severely about our 
government might be fined or imprisoned. This destroyed 
freedom of speech and the liberty of the press. These Acts 
made President Adams and the Federalist party very unpop¬ 
ular. The legislatures of Kentucky and Virginia declared 
that Congress, under the Constitution, had no right to pass 
such laws, and that each state could decide for itself whether 
laws passed by Congress were in accord with the Constitu¬ 
tion or not. 

307. France. — When Adams became President, France 
was governed by a committee of five called the Directory, 
and the American minister had been ordered to leave that 
country. This caused great anger, and some Americans said 
that war should be declared against France. But it was the 
part of wisdom for the young nation to gain strength, rather 
than to fight and lose it. 



John Adams 



246 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


President Adams sent John Marshall and Eldridge Gerry 
to Paris to join the American minister Pinckney, who had been 
ordered from France. They were to meet the Directory and, 
if possible, arrange for peace. Upon reaching Paris they were 
called upon by agents of the Directory and told that America 
must lend France a large amount of money or further talk 
would be useless. 

It now seemed that war with France was at hand, and the 
nation began to prepare for it. Washington was made com¬ 
mander-in-chief and the government created a navy. Naval 
vessels were built and strong merchant-vessels were bought 
and made into war-ships. The French, seeing that they 
were likely to have serious trouble, promised to receive any 
minister whom the President might send to France to 
represent our country. 

308. Thomas Jefferson. — Thomas Jefferson, third Presi¬ 
dent of the United States, was born in Virginia in 1743. He 
became a lawyer, and when the Revolutionary War began 
was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. As a 
member of the Continental Congress, he wrote and was one 
of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was 
opposed to slavery and placed in the Declaration a clause 
to the effect that it was an evil; this, however, was stricken 
out. At the close of the Revolutionary War, Jefferson was 
governor of Virginia, and later became a member of the 
Confederation Congress. Among important measures which 
we owe to him, are the plan for the government of the 
Northwest Territory and the bill for the decimal system of 
currency. Jefferson was minister to France for four years, 
when he returned in 1789 to become secretary of state under 
President Washington. He was the founder of the Demo¬ 
cratic-Republican party and was opposed to Alexander Ham- 



THE CONSTITUTION 


247 

ilton, the leader of the Federal party. Thomas Jefferson 
was not a powerful speaker, but was keen and scholarly. 
He and John Adams lived fifty years after signing the Decla¬ 
ration of Independence, each dying on July 4, 1826. 

309. New Ideas in Gov¬ 
ernment. —The election of 
Thomas Jefferson as Presi¬ 
dent in 1800 was a victory 
of the common people over 
those inclined to be aristo¬ 
cratic. Jefferson was a 
democrat, and carried on 
the affairs of government 
in a very simple manner. 

Instead of riding from the 
White House to the Capitol 
in a stately carriage, as 
Washington and Adams 
had done, he walked; and 
perhaps he was liked all the 
better for it. There was an absence of court form and cer¬ 
emony at the White House while Jefferson was President. 

He believed in cutting down expenses. He said that a 
nation, like a business firm, should save its money, pay its 
debts, and practice economy. “ What need is there to spend 
so much on the army and navy? 11 said he. “We are not at 
war, and are not likely to be, if we are peaceable. The trouble 
with France is over, and we do not need a large navy.” This 
was not the spirit that Washington had shown, when he said, 
“In time of peace, prepare for war.” Jefferson made the 
nation weak as a fighting power, but he kept dowm expenses, 
and paid off a large part of the national debt. 










248 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


310. The Barbary States. — The people living on the 

African shores of the Mediterranean Sea, in the Barbary 
States — Tunis, Algiers, Tripoli, and Morocco — had long 
been in the practice of capturing the ships of the people of 
Europe, and making slaves of the sailors and passengers. 
Some nations of Europe and even the United States had paid 
money to the robbers every year in order that their ships 
might not be attacked. 

In 1801 Tripoli demanded that a larger tribute be paid by 
the United States. This was refused, and when the Bashaw 
of Tripoli declared war, a fleet under Commodore Edward 
Preble was sent to the Mediterranean in 1803, and there was 
sharp fighting during the two years following. On one 
occasion an American frigate, the Philadelphia , ran aground 
in the harbor of Tripoli, and was taken by the enemy. 

Stephen Decatur of Maryland, a young naval lieutenant 
in command of a small vessel, ran into the port one night and 
surprised the Tripolitan crew of the Philadelphia. After 
a few minutes of fierce fighting, the crew were killed, and 
Decatur, setting fire to the ship and completely destroying it, 
retreated without losing a man. By 1805 the Bashaw had 
had fighting enough and a treaty of peace was made. 

311. Ohio. — In 1803 Ohio came into the Union as the 
seventeenth state, the first to be made out of the Northwest 
Territory. 

312. The Louisiana Purchase. — In 1800 Spain sold the 
country west of the Mississippi River to France, and Jefferson, 
determined to settle the question of the right of way down 
the river to the sea, sought to buy the city of New Orleans. 
It is doubtful whether Napoleon Bonaparte, the French ruler, 
would have sold the city and have thus loosened his grip on 
the mouth of the river had there not been grave danger of 


THE CONSTITUTION 


249 


war between France and England. Needing money for war, 
Napoleon told his minister of state to offer to the American 
commissioners not only the city of New Orleans but the 
whole of the French territory west of the Mississippi River. 

The offer was made and accepted at a price of fifteen 
millions of dollars. For this sum the United States had 
gained a new country as large as all it had before. After 
this purchase our country was bounded on the west by the 



Rocky Mountains and the Mexican possessions. This terri¬ 
tory includes Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, North 
Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, part of Kansas, Montana, 
nearly all of Oklahoma and Minnesota, and large parts of 
Wyoming and Colorado. 

313. The Oregon Country. — A vast country lay north 
and west of the nation’s boundary line, in and beyond the 
region of the Rocky Mountains. In 1804 a band of explorers, 
known as the Lewis and Clark party, left St. Louis, then a 
little log-cabin town, lying on the Mississippi a short distance 
below the mouth of the Missouri, and made their way up 





















250 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


that river, which had been unexplored ever since it had been 
seen by Father Marquette and La Salle. At length, crossing 
the mountains beyond the source of the Missouri River, they 
came to another river flowing toward the northwest which, 
fed by many branches, grew larger as it flowed. It was the 
Columbia River, and following this they at last found 
themselves on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. 

On this journey of Lewis and Clark was based the claim 
of the United States which, in later years, brought the nation 
ownership of the great Oregon country, from which have been 
made the states of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. The 
explorers were gone two years and a half, returning with their 
wonderful story in 1806. 

In 1804 Jefferson was elected to serve a second term as 
President. The country had prospered and he was greatly 
liked by the people. 

314. Trouble on the Sea. — The war with England that 

Bonaparte foresaw came and was waged fiercely. On the' - 
land, France gained; on the sea, England, with her great 
navy, had the advantage. Each nation tried to injure the 
other by ruining its trade. They took each other’s vessels; 
each declared ports to be closed against the other. 

Our nation was prospering. If we could remain at peace, 
we could gain strength and wealth, for the war in Europe 
gave the commerce of the ocean to our ships. We took no 
part in the war. So well did the shipping business pay, that 
American captains gave higher wages to sailors than they 
could get for service in British ships, and many deserted 
from English merchantmen and war-ships, to engage in 
service on American vessels. 

England complained that Americans were hiring English 
deserters from her navy, and said that she would take them 



\ TERRITORIAL GROWTH ^ 

\ OFTHB 

tJNITED STATES 

1783-1867 

8CALE OF MILE8 


Lake \S 
[ Manitoba! 


BismaVc] 


Milwaukee 


CKicagq- 


Denver 


Jtidhmond 


.l<v »a 


’Memphis' 




SR > 


TLORID. 


Orleans 


Galness©* 


NOTE, 

The United Stele* »eised pert of We*t Fl®rxtS* 
in 1810, *®d pert in 1*12. 


Longita'dt 


, 




liWf 1»« E«j ®w«. Jfcj) Usmmwm 340 




f 


























































































THE CONSTITUTION 


25 1 


wherever she found them, even if it were on board American 
war-ships. Her naval officers kept up their practice of search¬ 
ing American vessels on the sea, and taking by force such 
deserters as were found aboard. 

Wanting men so much, the English ship captains claimed 
as deserters, fine-looking men on American ships, who had 
never served in the English navy and therefore could not be 
deserters. Hundreds of manly American sailors were thus 
seized and made to serve in English war-ships against their 
will. The American people took for their motto, “ Free trade 
and sailors’ rights.” It meant the right to trade freely on 
the sea, and the right to have their sailors protected from 
English outrage. 

In 1807 the frigate Chesapeake , one of our war-ships, 
was met not far from our shores by the British war-ship 
The Leopard. The British captain declared that there 
were four British deserters on the Chesapeake and that 
they must be given up. The captain of the Chesapeake 
refused, and The Leopard opened fire. It was a time of 
peace for the United States, and the Chesapeake was unpre¬ 
pared to fight. Her captain made no attempt to resist The 
Leopard , and his ship was boarded and the men taken off. 

American ships were carrying goods to England and France 
alike, when each of these nations began to seize such of them 
as it could catch going with goods to the other. Soon the 
business of carrying goods by sea became very risky and un¬ 
profitable and was given up, because our nation was too 
veak to fight and protect it. 

315. Embargo Act. — At this point, Jefferson and some of 
his advisers thought of a scheme to bring France and England 
to terms. An act was passed by Congress, called the Em¬ 
bargo Act, which forbade American vessels to leave our ports. 


252 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


This plan of shutting off the French and English from 
needed American supplies injured their trade and also that 
of the Americans. The great business of the New England 
states was the shipping trade; and the outlook was very 
gloomy when vessels owned by New England people lay in 
idleness at the wharves. 

316. Election of Madison. — At the close of Jefferson’s 
second term, he might have been elected again. But, like 
Washington, he believed that no man should hold the Presi¬ 
dency for three terms, and retired to private life. James 
Madison followed Jefferson as President, beginning his term 
in 1809. 

317. Non-Intercourse Act. — Soon after Madison took 

office the Embargo Act was repealed, and a new law, the 
Non-Intercourse Act, took its place. It allowed American 
vessels to trade with all nations except England and France. 
Soon our ships were on the seas, laden with our goods, but 
both England and France continued to seize them. 

SUMMARY 

1. The Continental Congress lacks authority over the states. 

2. A committee appointed to draft laws for a new government. Articles 

of Confederation. 

3. Defects of the Articles of Confederation. 

4. Ordinance of 1787. 

5. Constitution of the United States adopted. 

6. Slavery. Opposition to it in all the states. 

7. The first President. 

8. Constitution defective. Amendments made. 

9. First tariff laws. 

10. City of Washington, the new Capital. 

11. The making of coin begins. Bank of the United States. 

12. The political parties. 

13. War of France against England. The United States remains neutral. 

14. The cotton gin; its effect. 


THE CONSTITUTION 


2 53 


15. Internal revenue, whiskey tax. 

16. England searches our ships at 

sea. 

17. A new President, John Adams. 

18. Quarrel with France. 

19. Thomas Jefferson, third Pres¬ 

ident. Economy and sim¬ 
plicity. 

20. War with Barbary pirates. 

21. Ohio admitted. 

22. The Louisiana Purchase. 

23. Oregon Country. 

24. England still searches our ships. 

25. Embargo Act against England. 

26. James Madison, fourth Pres¬ 

ident. Non-Intercourse Act. James Madison 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. Why were the Articles of Confederation passed? 

2. Did they give Congress sufficient power? 

3. Name some defects in the Articles of Confederation. 

4. Why was there ill-feeling between different states and sections of 

the country? 

5. What was done to secure a better form of government and to form a 

“more perfect union” of the states? 

6. What was the Ordinance of 1787? 

7. At the close of the Revolutionary War, what was the feeling with regard 

to slavery? 

8. How many amendments were made to the Constitution during Wash¬ 

ington’s term? 

9. What were the tariff laws of 1789? Why were they passed? 

10. What were the two early political parties? 

11. What was the Proclamation of Neutrality? Why was it made? 

12. How did the invention of the cotton-gin affect slavery? 

13. Why did England search our vessels on the high seas? 

14. What was the French Directory? How did they treat our minister 

to France? 

15. Who were the Barbary pirates? 

16. What was the most important event in Jefferson’s first administration? 

17. Who explored the Oregon Country? 

18. What was the “Embargo”? The “Non-Intercourse Act”? 




CHAPTER XIII 

TROUBLE WITH ENGLAND 

318. The War of 1812. — England and France held to 
their evil course toward our country during Madison’s first 
term. England was very abusive.' By this time, fully a 
thousand of our trading vessels had been taken by the Eng¬ 
lish navy, and thousands of good American sailors were 
serving against their will in English warships. They were 
like slaves, compelled to fight for their masters, and flogged 
if they did not do their work well. The impressment of 
our seamen by England interfered with our trade, as ships 
were searched upon the high seas, and Henry Clay, a states¬ 
man from Kentucky, who afterward went to the Netherlands 
to help make the treaty of peace, insisted that war must be 
declared to protect American commerce. He was supported 
by John C. Calhoun and statesmen from other sections of 
the country. Insults and outrages from England could be 
borne no longer, and, though the United States was in no 
condition for fighting, war was declared against England, in 
June, 1812. 

The country was even less prepared for war than had been 
supposed. It lacked skilful officers to plan and direct the 
fighting. The great man of America was dead, and the 
country sadly missed his counsel in peace, and his genius in 
war. The war went against the Americans at first, and failure 
after failure marked the progress of the earlier campaigns. 


TROUBLE WITH ENGLAND 


2 55 


Among the army commanders were a few able men, such 
as Generals Scott, Harrison, and Andrew Jackson, but the 
army was small and made up largely of volunteers. The 
navy, too, was small, but it was good. Taught by sad experi¬ 
ence the need of a navy, Congress, since Jefferson’s time, 
had provided for the building of vessels. Among naval com¬ 
manders were Preble, Rogers, Decatur, Bainbridge, and Hull, 
who had made themselves famous in the war with the pirates 
of the Barbary States. 

In 1812 the state of Louisiana was admitted to the Union. 
It was only a very small part of the great Province of Loui¬ 
siana, that had been bought from France. During the war 
the presidential election of 1812 took place, and Madison was 
elected for a second term. 



Detroit in 18 ii 


319. Hull’s Surrender. — On July 12, 1812, the American 
army, led by General William Hull, a veteran who had fought 
under Washington, crossed the Detroit River into Canada. 
Hull told the Canadians that he would not harm them if they 
remained quiet; that his fight was against England and not 
against them. Many of the Canadians deserted and joined 
his army. He was about to march against a fort on the De¬ 
troit River, when, suddenly changing his mind, he retreated 
to the American side of the river. Some one had told him 

















256 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


that a large force of British and Indians was coming to attack 
him. Soon afterward Hull surrendered his force to a British 
army, much to the disgust of his officers and men. For his 
shortcomings he was tried and sentenced to death, but was 
not executed. It appeared that he had been careless but had 
acted in good faith, though with bad judgment. With Hull’s 
surrender we lost an army, and the country from Detroit to 
Fort Dearborn, which stood where Chicago now stands. We 
also lost control of the Great Lakes. A second unsuccessful 
attempt to invade Canada was made during this year. 

320. Our Navy in 1812.—The United States frigate 
Constitution was one of the best vessels in our navy. Her 
commander, Isaac Hull, was a nephew of General William 
Hull, who had surrendered at Detroit. 

Hull sailed from Chesapeake Bay for New Yffirk, and was 
pursued by a fleet of English war-vessels, which was overhaul¬ 
ing him, when the wind died out. He manned small boats 
with his strongest oarsmen that they might tow the ship 
along, and the enemy did the same with their vessels. The 
British began to gain, and it seemed that they would surely 
capture the Constitution. But Hull put into a boat an anchor 
at the end of a long cable, and told his men to row the 
length of the cable and drop the anchor. As it caught the 
bottom, the men began to wind in the cable with the windlass, 
and thus the ship was pulled ahead. Again and again was 
this done, and steadily the ship gained on her pursuers, 
when suddenly a squall arose. Calling in his boats, the com¬ 
mander spread sail, and when the squall struck, the noble 
vessel plunged ahead like a race-horse. Before the squall 
reached the British ships, Hull was making good headway. 
The thick rain hid his ship from the British crews, and when 
the storm cleared, she was out of sight. 


TROUBLE WITH ENGLAND 


257 

321. The “Constitution” and the “ Guerriere. M —Later, 
Hull, cruising in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, sighted the Guer- 
riere , one of the ships that had pursued him. It was a chance 
for a fair fight, and in thirty minutes the fire of the Consti¬ 
tution had so badly 
smashed the Guerriere , 
and had killed so 
many of her crew, that 
she surrendered. She 
was so badly shattered 
that she could not be 
taken to port, so Hull 
blew her up and sank 
her. The Americans 
lost seven men, while 
the British loss was 
seventy. The Consti¬ 
tution was little dam¬ 
aged, and from that 
day was known as 
“Old Ironsides.” 

322. Other Naval Battles. — Captain Hull was succeeded 
in command of the Constitution , by Captain William Bain- 
bridge, a man well worthy of the honor. On the last day of 
the year 1812, Bainbridge, while cruising near the coast of 
Brazil, met the British frigate Java , and captured her after 
a two hours’ fight. He took off such of her crew as were left, 
and destroyed her. 

The American war-ship Wasp, while sailing near the 
West Indies, fell in with the British naval vessel Frolic , 
and gave battle. Scarcely had the fight begun, when the 
Frolic lay a shattered hulk, with her crew nearly all killed 



AMERICAN HISTORY 


258 

or disabled. Unfortunately for the Wasp, however, a big 
British battle-ship came up and took both the Wasp and 
her victim to Bermuda. The Hornet under Captain James 
Lawrence, while cruising off the coast of South America, 
met the British brig Peacock and sank her. 

In June, 1813, Lawrence, in command of the Chesapeake, 
was challenged by the commander of the British ship Shan¬ 
non, to sail out from Boston and fight. In the engagement 
Lawrence was mortally wounded and his ship was captured 
after very fierce fighting. His ship was taken to Halifax, 
Nova Scotia, where Lawrence died a few days later. His body 
was afterward buried in the graveyard of Trinity Church, 
New York City. 

Of eighteen fights against British vessels the Americans 
had won fifteen. The world was surprised at the victories 
of the American navy, for England had long been called 
“The Mistress of the Seas.” 

323. Perry’s Victory. — There was naval fighting on the 
lakes, as well as on the high seas. Oliver Hazard Perry, 
twenty-seven years old, a skilful naval officer, w T as ordered to 
Lake Erie to build a fleet of ships with which to fight the 
British, and to drive them from the lake. Perry went to 
the shore of the lake with a force of workers, and in the fall 
of 1813 built a number of small vessels. These, with a ship 
that he had taken from the British, and three small schooners 
that he had bought, made a fleet of nine vessels. 

Sailing in search of the British fleet in September, he cap¬ 
tured, after a desperate fight, all of the vessels of the enemy, 
and thus regained the lakes for the United States. Never 
before in all her history had England lost a whole fleet. This 
victory made the British abandon Detroit and the country 
along the southern shore of the lake. 


TROUBLE WITH ENGLAND 


259 


324. McDonough’s Victory on Lake Champlain. — A year 
later, in September, 1814, another lake victory was won 
by the Americans. A British army marched south from 
Canada, along the west shore of long and narrow Lake Cham- 



Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie 


plain. With it, along the lake, sailed a fleet of English war- 
vessels. The Americans had a few war-vessels on the lake, 
under command of Commodore McDonough. He skilfully 
arranged his few ships in such a way that the British fleet 
would fight at a disadvantage, and in not much more than 
two hours it was defeated. Without the fleet, the British 
army could not go on, so it turned about and made its way 
back to Canada. McDonouglTs victory saved New York 
State from invasion. 

325. The British at Washington. — Late in the summer of 
1814, the British landed five thousand men on the shore of 






26 o 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Chesapeake Bay, and made a dash for Washington. Six 
thousand Americans, untrained in arms, tried to stay the 
advance of the British, but they were quickly put to flight. 
The British entered the city and at once set fire to the Capitol 
and destroyed it. They then burned the President’s house, 
the treasury building, and other government buildings. 
This was one of the great misfortunes of the whole war, 
since many records and collections of" art were destroyed 
which could not be replaced. 

326. The Star-Spangled Banner. — The British soon left 
Washington, and their next move was an attempt to take 
Baltimore. The fleet attacked Fort McHenry which de¬ 
fended the city, and although it was furiously bombarded, it 
withstood the attack. During the fighting at Baltimore, a 
patriotic citizen, held as a prisoner on one of the English 
vessels, wrote “ The Star-Spangled Banner,” which soon 
became and has since remained one of America’s favorite 
patriotic songs. 

327. The Desire for Peace. — The war became burdensome 
since its cost was very great. Many Americans believed that 
it was needless, and that the country had been drawn into it 
by those who did not have the foresight to count the cost, 
or judge of the outcome. Many who had been in favor of 
the war now tired of strife, and there was a general desire for 
peace. England, too, was tired of the war and, with a strong 
feeling for peace on both sides, there was a desire that the 
nations should come to an understanding. 

By this time England had defeated France and crushed 
the power of Bonaparte. She could now turn all her strength 
against the United States. At once the greater part of her 
vast navy crossed the sea to the American coast, and her ships 
prevented American war-vessels from leaving our ports. 


TROUBLE WITH ENGLAND 


261 


There was now no chance for ship-to-ship fighting. If an 
American naval vessel put to sea, she was sure to meet half 
a dozen British war-ships. 

328. Battle of New Orleans. — In the fall of 1814 the 



The Battle of New Orleans 
After the painting by Billings 


British sent a strong fleet bearing an army to. take New 
Orleans and gain control of the Mississippi River. 

The army that came to take New Orleans was twelve thou¬ 
sand strong. They were the best soldiers that England had. 

General Andrew Jackson, a young lawyer, had been sent 
into the South to raise an army and fight the Indians, who, 
under Tecumseh, had captured Fort Mimms and massacred 
its inhabitants. Jackson then went to New Orleans in com¬ 
mand of six thousand raw militia men, many of whom had 
never been in a battle. Man for man they were as good 
fighters as could be found anywhere, for they were woods¬ 
men and planters, all well used to shooting. They had that 
kind of courage that would make each man stand and 







262 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


fight, no matter how many others might run away. 

For several days the British were busy in getting ready to 
make their grand attack, and during that time there was 
more or less firing. At daybreak, January 8, 1815, a beautiful 
Sabbath, the grand assault was made. 

The invaders came on again and again, the front ranks 
carrying short ladders with which to scale the earthworks. 
These were the best trained soldiers in the world but Jackson’s 
Kentucky and Tennessee riflemen were the best marksmen 
in the world, and in the three hour battle twenty-five hundred 
men and officers, including the British commander, General 
Pakenham, were killed. The American loss was very small. 
Although at the time this battle was fought the treaty of 
peace had been signed (on December 24, 1814, at Ghent, 
Belgium) it was of utmost importance as it had a marked 
effect in creating in Europe a great respect for the valor of 
the American army. 

329. Close of the War. — The war left the relations be¬ 
tween the two countries much as they had been before. In 
some ways it had benefited the United States, since it made 
our people feel that this nation was able to defend itself, 
and that the rights of sailors on our vessels would be respected. 
During the war articles that we needed were made in this 
country and the Americans became more interested in home 
manufactures. 

330. Barbary Pirates. — During our war with England, 
the pirates of the Barbary States began to prey upon our mer¬ 
chant ships in the Mediterranean Sea. At the close of the 
war a fleet was sent to the Mediterranean, under Commodore 
Decatur, to put a stop to this practice. In a very short time 
these people were subdued and they have never troubled us 
since. 


TROUBLE WITH ENGLAND 


263 


331. The Tariff. — Soon after the war the merchants of 
Europe began to ship cargoes of goods to be sold in America. 
They were needed, and were sold to us for lower prices than 
our manufacturers could supply them. It seemed that the 
doors of our factories would soon be closed, because people 
bought foreign goods at lower prices than they could buy 
those made in our own country. To prevent this and to 
protect our home industries, a tariff was laid on foreign-made 
goods. 


SUMMARY 

1. The second war with England. 

2. Second election of James Madison. 

3. Louisiana admitted. 

4. Hull’s surrender. 

5. The Constitution fights the Guerriere. 

6. Other naval battles. 

7. Perry’s victory on Lake Erie. 

8. Commodore McDonough’s victory. 

9. Capture of the city of Washington. 

10. Battle of New Orleans; end of the war. 

11. New Tariff Law. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. What was the chief cause of the War of 1812? 

2. Name and give an account of some of the land battles. Of some of the 

naval fights. 

3. What battle ended the war? Give an account of it. 

4. Why was a protective tariff law passed after the war? 


CHAPTER XIV 

FROM THE WAR OF 1812 TO THE MEXICAN WAR 


332 . President Monroe. — In 1816 James Monroe of 
Virginia, who had fought for his country with Washington, 

was elected President. The bitter 
wranglings between parties had 
ceased; the country was prosper¬ 
ous; it was a period of good feel¬ 
ing. Monroe was elected for a 
second term in 1820. 

333 . Florida. — Between our 
country and the sea upon the 
south, lay what is now the state 
of Florida, which at that time 
was owned b.y Spain. There was 
war between the United States 
and some of the Indians in the 
South, and, whenever our soldiers went after them, these 
Indians ran across the line and escaped into Florida. 

General Jackson, being again in command in the war with 
the Indians, did not hesitate to follow the savage war parties* 
into Florida. He took the town of Pensacola, and hanged 
two Englishmen who were helping the Indians. His head¬ 
strong 'course offended Spain, and there was danger of war. 

President Monroe and his advisers saw that it would save 
much trouble if Florida should be made a part of our country. 
If it could be purchased, even by paying a large price for it, 



James Monroe 




FROM 1812 TO THE MEXICAN WAR 265 

war, which would be much more costly, might be prevented. 
So the Government bought Florida from Spain, in 1819, for 
five million dollars. 

The country was fast recovering from the War of 1812, 
and many people moved to the West. Before Monroe’s term 
ended, Illinois, Mississippi, and Alabama were admitted to 
the Union as states. Illinois was a free state, while Missis¬ 
sippi and Alabama allowed the ownership of slaves. 

334 . Rise of Slavery Question. — There had by this time 
arisen a great difference of opinion with regard to slavery. 
Power to decide for or against slavery lay in the two branches 
of Congress. The number of slave states was equal to that 
of the free states. By the call of states in the Senate, slavery 
and freedom stood evenly matched, two senators to a state. 
In the House of Representatives, however, the free states had 
many more members than the slave states, for they had grown 
so fast in population that they had many more congressmen. 

0 

Wise men saw that there was a struggle coming between 
those who favored and those who opposed slavery. Hence 
there was a desire on the one side to have new states admitted 
to the Union as free states, and on the other to have them 
come in with slavery. 

In 1818 the people of Missouri Territory asked that a, part 
of it be made a state of the Union. No one objected to the 
admission of the new state, but there was much said as to 
whether it should be slave or free. Congress was divided on 
the question, and thus began the contest over slavery which 
ended, nearly half a century later, in a terrible war. 

The people in the North, generally, opposed slavery, while 
those of the South were now in favor of it. The question 
was not whether slavery was an evil, but whether it should be 
extended into states yet to be admitted. Its enemies hoped, 


266 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


and its friends feared, that if it was not allowed to spread, 
slavery would die. This difference of opinion set the people 
of one part of the country against those of the other. 

335. The Missouri Compromise. — After much strife, 
Missouri was made a state with slavery, and Maine was 
admitted without slavery. Thus the number of slave and 
free states remained equal. An agreement was made, which 
became law, that all future states admitted from territory in 
the Louisiana Purchase lying north of the line of the southern 
boundary of Missouri, should be free. The law was called 
the Missouri Compromise, and it was thought that the slav¬ 
ery question was forever settled; but it was not. Hatred of 
slavery grew stronger in the North, while in the South the 
people became more firmly fixed in the belief that slavery 
was a great benefit to both the black and white races. South¬ 
ern statesmen, sure that slavery brought prosperity, made all 
other questions give way to it, holding it to be the very life of 
the welfare of the South. Thinking that the North meant 
finally to destroy slavery, the southern people began to do 
what they could to save and strengthen it. 

336. The Growth of National Pride. — At first, patriotism 
seemed bounded by state lines, but those colony-bred people 
who had been devoted to their states, more than to their 
nation, were passing away. Their children, familiar with 
the nation and its greatness, were taking their places. Men 
going abroad, especially those from the northern part of the 
country, no longer called themselves citizens of New York, 
or of Pennsylvania, but of the United States. The pride of 
the people of the new states was in the nation, as a Union of 
States, rather than in the state in which they lived. 

337. Immigration. — Immigrants were rapidly coming to 
America. These new-comers, who had found prosperity 


FROM 1812 TO THE MEXICAN WAR 267 

and happiness, loved the young nation that had welcomed 
them and whose laws protected them, and delighted in its 
growing majesty and power. 

338. The Holy Alliance. — About this time Mexico and 
some provinces in South America rebelled against the author¬ 
ity of Spain and became republics. The idea of self-govern¬ 
ment was spreading, and rulers in Europe became alarmed. 
To check government by the people, the kings of Austria, 
Russia, and Prussia banded together in defense of kingly 
power. This union was called The Holy Alliance. It was 
believed, among other things, that the Alliance meant to 
restore to Spain the provinces she had lost in America, and 
it was feared that Russia was to be helped in gaining more 
power in North America. In those days Alaska belonged to 
Russia and was called Russian America. The Holy Alliance 
was a danger to the United States. 

339. The Monroe Doctrine. — President Monroe saw that 
the scheme of the three monarchs might in the future work 
harm to the United States. In his message to Congress in 
1823, he stated that our nation should take no part in the 
wars of European countries. He also said that we should at 
all times look upon attempts of European powers to colonize 
any part of the Western Hemisphere, as threatening our 
welfare, and that any such attempt would show an unfriendly 
feeling toward the United States. It was also stated by 
President Monroe that attempts on the part of European 
nations to oppress the people of any republic in this hemi¬ 
sphere, whose independence we had recognized, would be 
regarded as an unfriendly act. 

340. The Tariff. — During Monroe’s administration Eng¬ 
land, to help her colonies in India in their purpose to raise 
cotton, laid a tariff on American cotton to keep it out of Eng- 


268 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


lish ports. At the same time, cotton from India was sent to 
England free from duty, that it might have a better chance 
to be sold. This tariff hurt the cotton-growers of the south¬ 
ern states, since they had been raising cotton, sending it to 
England to be sold, and then buying in England the very 
cloth made from that cotton. Now with the added tax they 
could not sell their cotton to English mill-owners. To keep 
English cloth from our market, as the English kept American 
cotton from, theirs, a tariff was laid, higher than before, on 
cloth brought from England to this country. This resulted 
in the building of American mills and factories for the manu¬ 
facture of cloth, and from that time, not only cloth but 
hundreds of other needful things have been made more and 
more in this country. 

341. Manufactures; Inventions.—When people live in 
towns they have new needs and make new efforts. Better 
roads, houses, streets, parks, and other things to make life 
more comfortable come with the growth of towns and of 
manufacturing. There was so much work to be done in 
America that there were not hands enough to do it, and 
Americans began to invent faster ways of doing work. 

The inventive ability of the American people has been 
encouraged by the government, and the granting of patents 
to inventors began as early as 1780. These secure to the 
inventor the profits of his invention, and from that time our 
nation has led the world in great inventions. Our manu¬ 
facturing interests also have grown, until in the making of an 
endless variety of goods, and in the prosperity that comes 
from being busy, our country very much excels any other 
country in the world. 

342. Improvements. — As a wise farmer improves his 
farm by building walls and fences, removing rocks, draining 


FROM 1812 TO THE MEXICAN WAR 269 


swamps, and leveling roads, so do a wise people improve their 
country. Under President Monroe the work of building 
great highways between cities and across states, commenced. 
The best known means of moving goods during Monroe’s 
administration was by boats and wagons. Settlement in 
the West grew rapidly, owing to the building of these great 
cross-country highways, upon which travel through the wild 



and unbroken wilderness was much easier than it had been 
before. One of these roads was the Cumberland Road, ex¬ 
tending from the Potomac to the Ohio River, upon which 
wagon trains carrying the goods and families of settlers 
were constantly moving westward. Another great national 
road from the Ohio to the Mississippi River was built 
later. 

Railroads were unknown and much money was spent by 
the general government in building these great highways. 
More was expended by states and towns, and this work has 
been continued. Canals had long been in use in Europe, 
and it was seen that they were needed in America. The 
state of New York had begun work on a great canal from 
Lake Erie to the Hudson River, and during Monroe’s 
administration this work had been nearly finished. 

343 . A New President. — In 1824 John Quincy Adams, 
son of John Adams, a former President, was elected to succeed 




















2JO 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Monroe, and John C. Calhoun of South Carolina was chosen 
as Vice-President. In this election the other candidates for 
the Presidency were Henry Clay of Kentucky, the speaker 

of the House of Representatives, 
and Andrew Jackson of Tennessee. 

Jackson came very near being 
elected, and believed that Clay 
and his friends had defeated him 
for the Presidency by using their 
strength and influence in favor of 
Adams. The fact that Adams 
appointed Clay secretary of state 
gave some color to this belief. 
There was much bitter feeling 

about the matter, and in speak- 
John Quincy Adams j n g 0 f p the words “ bargain and 

corruption” were freely used by the friends of Jackson, who 
at once set about preparing to elect him to the Presidency 
during the next campaign. 

In the struggle of the election the time of good feeling in 
politics ceased, and there was more or less bitterness between 
the parties during Adams’s term. There was a great differ¬ 
ence of opinion as to the tariff, and John C. Calhoun of South 
Carolina, who had at first favored the protective tariff because 
he thought it would benefit his state, now saw that it would 
not. He believed that his state must always be a farming 
country with few manufactures. He was the great leader of 
the South, and from the time that he took his stand against 
a protective tariff, the South has been mainly in favor of 
letting in foreign goods without tax, or the admission of such 
goods at a low tax, laid only to get money to pay the 
expenses of government. 






FROM 1812 TO THE MEXICAN WAR 


271 


344. The Erie Canal. — By 1825 the Erie Canal, three 
hundred and sixty miles long, had been finished. It had 
cost a vast sum of money, but it proved to be worth many 
times its cost. Before the canal was completed, freight on a 
barrel of flour from Buffalo to Albany had been ten dollars; 



afterward it fell to thirty cents. Goods could then be brought 
from the country about Lakes Michigan and Superior to 
Buffalo, thence moved by this canal to the Hudson and to 
New York City, and shipped anywhere from that port. New 
York City began to grow, and soon became the largest city 
on our continent. 

A stream of canal boats, drawn by mules and horses, kept 
pouring the wealth of the West into New York, and a counter 
stream carried a wealth of manhood to people the great West. 
Land, the best in the world, was to be had at almost nothing 
an acre, and from the eastern states and England the home- 
seekers went to the West by way of the Erie Canal. 












272 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


345. The Railroads. — A new means of moving goods and 
men, one that was to advance the nation wonderfully, the 
railroad, was in use before the close of Adams’s term. A road 
with iron rails was built from Baltimore, thirteen miles west¬ 
ward. From it has 
grown the great 
Baltimore and Ohio 
system; other rail¬ 
roads were soon 
built — one in New 
Jersey and one in 
South Carolina. 

Steam-cars and 
steam-boats were 
the coming agents 
of greatness for the 
country. In colo¬ 
nial times, it took 
six days to travel 
from Philadelphia to Boston, a journey which steam has 
reduced to as many hours. Commerce, in the early days, 
was confined to the exchange of goods between the American 
coast-region and Europe. Now, an American commerce, 
greater than that of all the world then, and greater than all 
that now crosses the Atlantic, plies shuttle-like, by boat and 
car, within the limits of our own country, east and west, 
north and south. 

346. Andrew Jackson. — Ours was no longer an Atlantic- 
slope country, since a great part of it lay west of the Alle¬ 
ghany Mountains, where many people lived. Until this time 
the Presidency had fallen to men who lived near the sea. It 
was now claimed that that great honor should be given to 



A Railroad Train in 1831 















FROM 1812 TO THE MEXICAN WAR 


273 



Andrew Jackson, a man of the West, who lived in Tennessee, 
and who four years before had been defeated for that office. 
His friends now rallied for him and he became President. 

The parents of Andrew Jackson had been Irish immigrants, 
who with their son lived 


at one time in 
cabin. Jackson had 
been a rugged back¬ 
woodsman, afterward a 
soldier, and was now a 
statesman. What he 
had done at New Or¬ 
leans and in Florida 
was well known, and 
the common people 
liked him. He was 
stern, simple, rugged, 
honest, fearless, self- 
willed, and obstinate. 

People called him “Old 
Hickory,” for they 
likened his character¬ 
istics to the toughness 
of the hickory tree. He 
was a Democrat, voted for by the Democrats of the North 
and South, and was opposed to a high tariff. 

347. The Nullification Doctrine. — During Jackson’s term 
the question whether the nation was superior to a state was 
again presented by the course of South Carolina. In 1832 a 
new tariff bill was passed, and Calhoun declared that the 
national government had no right to tax goods coming from 
Europe to the people of his state. He contended that a 


Andrew Jackson 
From the painting by Chappel 




274 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


state could declare such laws of the nation as it did not like, 
of no effect. This was the Nullification Doctrine. 

The people of South Carolina proceeded to put the theory 
of Calhoun in force, and to carry out the threats they had 
made. They declared, in convention, that the tariff law as 
passed by Congress was of no force in South Carolina — 
that it was null and void. They insisted that no duties should 
be collected on foreign goods coming into their state, and 
that, if force was used to collect them, it would leave the 
Union. 

This was the theory of States Rights and meant that South 
Carolina had the right to decide what laws of the general 
government she would obey. The people of the slave states 
followed the lead of South Carolina, more or less, as that state 
supported the stand of Calhoun, its gifted son. The same old 
claim that had wrought such mischief when the nation was 
forming was now urged again, that this country was a group 
of states acting together by mutual consent, instead of a 
great nation, one and indivisible. The President declared 
that South Carolina must obey the law, and sent troops and 
naval vessels to that state to compel the people to obey. The 
duties were collected in Charleston, as in all other southern 
seaport cities, and South Carolina did not leave the Union. 

348. The Spoils System. — Jackson believed that when a 
political party had won a Presidential election, the men of the 
other party who were in office should be turned out. The 
successful party alone were to enjoy the honors and the profits 
of holding office. The salaries of offices were, he thought, in 
a sense spoils won by the victorious party, as spoils might 
be won in war; and he said, “To the victors belong the spoils.” 
He put men of his own party into office throughout the coun¬ 
try, a plan which was followed by all parties for many years. 


FROM 1812 TO THE MEXICAN WAR 


275 


It caused elections to become largely mere scrambles for 
office, and caused the offices to be filled by men who, while 
shrewd politicians, were unfit for their duties. 

349. Jackson Reelected; the United States Bank. — In 
1832 Jackson was reelected. He believed in himself, and if he 
thought that he was right, he cared nothing for what others 
might think. Most people thought that the United States 
Bank, which had branches in many cities, and in which the 
government money was kept, was a desirable institution. 
The President thought otherwise, and believed that the men 
controlling the bank had used their great power in politics 
to defeat him when he first failed to be elected, and that they 
had sought to prevent his last election. He ordered that the 
government money should be withdrawn from the bank, 
which was done, and the bank was closed. 

350. The United States Bank and the Surplus. — In 
breaking up the Bank of the United States and causing the 
government money to be deposited in various state banks, 
the President made another mistake; for some of the money 
was lost. The nation was out of debt, there being a large 
amount of surplus money in the treasury, which was divided 
among the states, and some of it was wasted, causing finan¬ 
cial distress. 

While Jackson was President, two new states came into 
the Union, Arkansas as a slave, and Michigan as a free state. 
The states were still even on the slavery question, thirteen 
for it to thirteen against it. 

351. Two Wings of the Democratic Party; Slavery.— 

The Democratic party was strong in the South, where people 
believed in slavery and states rights. One wing of the party 
held that a state might at any time leave the Union and 
become an independent republic. The other contended that 


276 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


this is a nation with power greater than that of any state. 
“The states/’ said Jackson, “are in the Union and have no 
right to withdraw from it.” In those times of danger, Jack- 
son also said, “The Union: it must and shall be preserved.” 

During Jackson’s two terms, the people of the South and 
those of the North drifted apart and a bitter feeling sprang 
up between them, caused by slavery and the difference of 
opinion about it. There was much talk in the South against 
the Union, and Jackson said that there was treason in the 

hearts of many. He was also 
right in saying that the time 
would come when the Union 
would be broken because of 
slavery. 

352. Election of Van Bu- 
ren. — In 1836 Martin Van 
Buren of New York was 
elected President. He was 
descended from one of the old 
Dutch families, and had been 
governor of that state. He 
was the first Democrat to be 
elected from a northern state. 

353. The Panic. — In 1837 the result of one of Jackson’s 
mistakes appeared. The dividing of the nation’s money 
among the states and depositing it in state banks, had made 
money so plentiful that it had led to unwise dealings, and 
during Van Buren’s administration came the panic that such 
a policy was sure to bring. 

354. The South Wants Texas.—'There was a growing 

demand among the friends of slavery in the South for more 
territory from which to make slave states. They meant 



Martin Van Buren 



FROM 1812 TO THE MEXICAN WAR 


277 


that, in some way, there should be more slave than free states, 
so that there would be more senators in Congress in favor of 
slavery. They wanted the nation to take Texas as a terri¬ 
tory, and knew that when it came into the Union it would be 
a slave state. Van Buren opposed the annexation of Texas, 
and the southern people disliked him. 



William Henry Harrison John Tyler 


355. Election of Harrison. — In the presidential election of 
1840 the Whigs, who were opposed to the policies of Jackson, 
elected William Henry Harrison of Ohio, defeating Van 
Buren, who had been nominated by the Democratic party. 
Perhaps the Detnocrats would have elected their candidate, 
had not the Whigs named for Vice-President, John Tyler of 
Virginia, a Democrat, for whom many Democratic votes were 
cast. 

Harrison, like Jackson, was a man of the people, who had 
shown himself to be a good fighter in warfare against the 
Indians. After a month of service as President, Harrison 
died, and the country had a Democratic President. 










278 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


356. Public Lands. — There was yet land for many thou¬ 
sands of farms in the West, and in 1841 Congress passed a law 
that it might be sold to settlers at a dollar and a quarter an 
acre, provided the buyer would live upon the land and raise 
crops from it. This offer, together with the fact that there 
were hard times in Europe, increased immigration. Every 
ocean steamer, and hundreds of sailing vessels, brought 
stout-hearted men and women to this country. Their sons 
and grandsons are now prosperous and honored citizens of 
the western states that they helped to build. By this time 
nearly all the public land east of the Mississippi had been 
taken, and the Louisiana Purchase region was filling up with 
people. 

357. The Telegraph. — After Franklin had discovered that 
lightning is a result of electricity, people had thought no 



The First Telegraph Message in the Morse Alphabet 

more about it. But one ingenious man, named Morse, had 
been trying to make this strange force useful. He found a 
way to send messages by electricity, through long distances, 
so quickly that their passage would take very little, if any, 
time. During Tyler’s term, Morse asked Congress to give 
money enough to put up a line of wires from Washington to 
Baltimore. He said that, with such wires and the instru¬ 
ments he had invented, he could send messages from one city 
to the other in a few seconds. The money was appropriated, 
and he built the first telegraph line in the world. Messages 
are now sent through the air without wires, and by wireless 
telegraphy captains of ships communicate with one another, 
though they are hundreds of miles apart. 










FROM 1812 TO THE MEXICAN WAR 


279 


358. Texas. —The Republic of Mexico, once a province 
of Spain, consisted of several states, one of which was Texas, 
adjoining the United States, and many Americans had settled 
there on lands granted to them by the government of Mexico. 
These settlers were mainly from the southern states and they 
took their slaves with them. So well did they prosper that 
soon there were more Americans than Mexicans in Texas. 

At length, Mexico passed a law prohibiting slavery in all 
the Mexican states, and when the Mexicans sought to put 
the law into force in Texas, these Americans resisted their 
authority, and Texas, seceding 
from Mexico, became an inde¬ 
pendent republic. Mexico tried 
to put down the rebellion, but 
the Americans under General 
Houston defeated the Mexican 
troops and, in 1837, Texas was 
recognized as a republic by the 
United States. 

359. Election of Polk. — In *f!f 

1844 James K. Polk of Ten¬ 
nessee, a Democrat, was elected 
President. The chief question James k. Polk 

before the country then was whether the Republic of Texas 
should be annexed to the United States. This question was 
settled by the admission of this state to the Union in 1845, 
President Tyler, at the close of his administration, signing 
the resolution of Congress admitting Texas as a slave state. 

Mexico had never admitted that Texas was an independent 
republic, and, as a nation, felt that the United States had 
acted very unfairly in causing Texas to secede, and in after¬ 
ward making it a part of the United States. 







28 o 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


It was the people of the southern states, rather than 
those of the North, who had brought about the secession and 
annexation of Texas. Slavery needed more room in which 
to spread, and the far-seeing statesmen of the South thought 
that they could make of Texas several slave states. In this 
plan they failed, for the people of Texas refused to have their 
great republic divided into small states. 

Florida, purchased during President Monroe’s term, was 
admitted as a state during the same year. Both Texas and 
Florida were slave states, but Iowa and Wisconsin were 
admitted as free states a little later, and thus there were 
still as many free as there were slave states. 

360. The Oregon Country. — During President Polk’s 
term there was a strong desire that the northwestern bound¬ 
ary of the country should be defined. The boundary line 
between the Oregon country and the British part of North 
America had not yet been determined. The land that lay 
between latitude 46° north and 54 0 40' north was claimed 
by both England and the United States. 

There was an agreement of long standing that the people 
of both nations might live there. This agreement was to end 
after one year’s notice given by either party to the other. 
By 1845 there were more than seven thousand Americans 
in this region, and notice was given by the United States that 
the agreement was to end in 1846. A settlement was made 
by which the parallel of 49 0 north latitude was to become the 
boundary line. 

Jefferson thought that the Alleghany Mountains would 
always be the western boundary of the United States. After¬ 
ward, it was thought that the Rocky Mountains would be 
our western limit. Now, it was settled that our country 
extended to the Pacific, and later still, in our own time, we 


FROM 1812 TO THE MEXICAN WAR 


281 


have gained island territory on the other side of the Pacific 
Ocean. 

When Oregon was given a territorial government, in 1848, 
Congress declared that there should never be slavery within 
the limits of the new territory. 


1. 

2. 

3 - 

4 - 

5 - 


7 - 

8 . 

9 - 

10. 


11. 

12. 
13 - 
14. 
i 5 - 
16. 
i 7 - 

18. 

19. 

20. 

21. 

22. 

23- 

24. 

25 - 

26. 



Birthplace of Andrew Jackson 


SUMMARY 

A new President, James Monroe. 

Purchase of Florida. 

Admission of the states of Illinois, Mississippi, and Alabama. 
Disputes over slavery. 

The Missouri 
Compromise. 

Immigration in¬ 
creases. 

The Holy Alli¬ 
ance. 

The Monroe Doc¬ 
trine. 

Protective tariff. 

Growth of manu¬ 
facturing and 
invention. 

John Quincy Adams, President. 

Nullification in South Carolina. 

Completion of the Erie Canal. 

First railroads. 

President Andrew Jackson. 

The Nullification Doctrine. 

The Spoils System. 

Jackson re-elected. 

Difference on the States Rights question becomes dangerous. 
The United States Bank. 

Arkansas and Michigan admitted as states. 

Two wings of the Democratic Party. 

Martin Van Buren of New York becomes President. 

Panic of 1837. 

President Harrison. 

The public lands. 







282 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


27. The telegraph. 

28. Texas. 

29. President James K. Polk. 

30. Texas and Florida admitted (1845). 

31. Fixing the national boundaries. The Oregon country. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. What territory did the Nation gain under President Monroe? 

2. What was the Missouri Compromise? The Holy Alliance? The Mon¬ 

roe Doctrine? 

3. What was the South Carolina Nullification Doctrine? 

4. What great public work was completed in New York state in 1825? 

When and where were the first railroads built? 

5. What was the Spoils System? 

6. Name a great invention made during President Tyler’s administration. 

7. What Mexican territory became a republic? When did this republic 

become a state? Why did the statesmen of the South want several 
states made from this territory? 

8. When was the northern boundary of the United States fixed? 



Zachary Taylor 


CHAPTER XV 

SLAVERY CAUSES TROUBLE 

361. The Mexican War. — After Texas had been admitted 
to the Union, the United States claimed that the western 
boundary of the state was the Rio Grande River. Mexico 
declared that the state of Texas, one of the states of Mexico, 
had never extended west to the Rio Grande. Little atten¬ 
tion was given by the United States to the claims of Mexico, 
and President Polk ordered General Taylor to march troops 
to the strip of land in dispute. 

Mexico resisted the invaders and there were some slight 
clashes of small bodies of troops. A small Mexican force 
defeated a small American force, killing a few men. 

The President sent a message to Congress in which he said 
that Mexico had shed the blood of Americans, and Congress 
declared war. 

Mexico fought bravely and did all she could to oppose the 
invaders, but she was overmatched. General Taylor, with 
his stronger army, better prepared for fighting, was too power¬ 
ful for the home-defenders of Mexico, and he won every 
battle. After the battle of Buena Vista, he came home with 
glory enough to gain the Presidency at the next election. 

While Taylor had been active in Mexico with one army, 
General Winfield Scott had been busv with another, and he 
too was a victor in every battle. The Americans finally 
captured the City of Mexico, in the fall of 1847, and the war 
was ended. 


284 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


By the treaty of peace, 1848, Mexico yielded the strip of 
land first claimed; and, partly by conquest and partly by 
purchase, then and later, the United States gained a great 
country north and west of Texas, extending westward to the 
Pacific Ocean and northward to the Oregon country. The 
territory thus acquired is now California, Utah, Arizona, 
Nevada, and part of New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. 

362. The Wilmot Proviso. — The land that the United 
States gained from Mexico was free territory, for Mexico had 
made it so by law. The question arose whether it should 
so remain. As early as 1846, Wilmot, a member of Congress 
from Pennsylvania, proposed that the Ordinance of 1787, 
that made the Northwest Territory free, should apply to any 
territory gained from Mexico. This bill was called “The 
Wilmot Proviso.” 

It was opposed by the slavery party, and failed to become 
a law. The South meant that new states made from that 
territory should be slave states. Nearly all the people of 
the North were strongly in favor of preventing slavery in 
new states. Talk about the matter divided the people into 
two parties — one for slavery in the territories, and the other 
against it. 

363. Election of General Taylor. — In the election of 1848, 
General Zachary Taylor, a Whig, who had distinguished 
himself in the Mexican War, became President. President 
Taylor died in July, 1850, and Millard Fillmore, the Vice- 
President, became President. 

364. Admission of California. — The thirty states of the 
Union were equally divided on the slavery question in the 
territories. When California sought to be admitted as a 
new state, the question was, whether she should be a slave 
state or a free state. 



MAP SHOWING THE 

TERRITORY ACQUIRED 

FROM MEXICO 

AS THE RESULT OF 

THE MEXICAN WAR 


from Greeirwicn 


Longitude West 


























































SLAVERY CAUSES TROUBLE 


285 

365. Discovery of Gold. —Not very far from San Francisco 
Bay, where hundreds of years before, Drake and other rovers 
had sailed, Mr. Sutter had built a mill. His hired men were 
digging a ditch in the gravelly soil when one of them saw a 
little lump of something of dull reddish-yellow color. He 



View of San Francisco in 1847 


picked it up; it was heavy. He pounded it; it was soft. 
They gathered around him and tested it. It was gold. 

« 

More gold was found in other places, and the word went 
forth to the world, “Gold is abundant in California.” Men 
flocked to this new territory from all parts of the world, but 
mainly from the northern states, and in 1849 there were a 
hundred thousand there. Slaves were not needed in a coun¬ 
try where there were no large plantations and where the 
chief activity was gold mining, and therefore the Californians, 
most of whom were people who had come from the free states, 
































286 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


wrote a constitution for a state which shut out slavery, 
and asked for admission to the Union. There were many 
debates in Congress as to whether California should be ad¬ 
mitted as a free state. Finally, by the Compromise of 1850, 
it was settled, among other things, that California should 
come into the Union as a free state. It was also settled that 
the question of slavery in other parts of the territory acquired 
from Mexico should be left to the people who might be living 
there when the territory was made into states. 

366 . Threats of Secession.— People of the South began 
to talk of taking their states out of the Union. Answering 
them, people of the North said that it would be better for 
free states to be out of the Union than to continue in it with 
slave states. There were foolish people, in both parts of the 
country, who babbled of secession whenever they could not 
have their own way. 

In 1850 there were great debates in Congress on the slavery 
question, and speeches that still stand as models of oratory 
were made on both sides. Old statesmen passed away and 
new ones came. Calhoun, the great champion of the South, 
died, and to take his place as leader for the rights of the states 
was Jefferson Davis of Mississippi. 

During the great debates, California became a state; and 
now the free states had the lead, never to lose it. 

367 . The Fugitive Slave Law.—An important law passed 
in 1850 was, that the officials of a free state should allow the 
arrest and return of run-away slaves that might be found 
within its bounds. Many people of the North, pitying poor 
black wretches escaping from slavery, aided them as they 
fled through northern states to Canada, which, as English 
soil, was a land of freedom. 

The slavery-haters of the North despised the Fugitive 


SLAVERY CAUSES TROUBLE 287 

Slave Law. So general was the feeling against it that but 
few black fugitives were caught and sent back into slavery. 

368. Immigration. — There had been a great famine in 
Ireland and people came by tens of thousands from that land 
of want to this land of plenty. Others came from other 
parts of Europe and population was growing very fast. The 
northwestern part of the Louisiana Purchase was filling with 
people, while few of the newcom¬ 
ers went to the southern states. 

369. Steam. — By 1852 the use 
of steam for power was growing 
general. There were ten thousand 
miles of railroad, and hundreds of 
steamboats were busy on the 
rivers and lakes, while many great 
steamships were running from 
our harbors to those of Europe. 

370. A President from the 
North. — In 1852 the Democrats 
elected as President a northern 
man, Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire. He was opposed 
by the Whigs, in what proved to be their last contest. Two 
great Whig leaders, Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, passed 
away while the contest for the Presidency was going on. 

Henry Clay was born in Virginia in 1777. His father, a 
poor clergyman, died when the boy, Henry, was quite young. 
After his father’s death, Clay attended a log-cabin school. 
Later he worked in a store, and afterward was appointed 
clerk of one of the Virginia courts. He studied law and at 
twenty years of age was admitted to the bar. He then 
moved to Kentucky, and became a member of the leg¬ 
islature of that state. In 1806 he became a United States 






288 AMERICAN HISTORY 

senator. He was afterward elected to the House of Repre¬ 
sentatives and was a number of times its speaker. Clay was 
secretary of state under President John Quincy Adams. 

Three times defeated for 
the Presidency, Henry Clay 
is known as the great “Pa¬ 
cificator.” His compromise 
measures became laws at 
critical periods of our his¬ 
tory. He was an able 
supporter of the Missouri 
Compromise and was the 
author of the compromise 
measure of 1833 which 
lowered the tariff, thus 
preventing the trouble into 
which South Carolina was 
drifting, by reason of that state’s support of the nullification 
doctrine. He was also the author and supporter of the com¬ 
promise measures of 1850. Disliked by Andrew Jackson, and 
disappointed in his own ambitions, he yet gave his best services 
to his country. He died in Washington, D.C., in 1852. 

Daniel Webster was born in New Hampshire in 1782. He 
studied law and became a leading member of the Massachu¬ 
setts bar. He was first elected to Congress in 1805, and was 
later in the United States Senate, an associate of those two 
great statesmen, Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun. Webster 
was one of the world’s great speakers. His reply to Senator 
Hayne of South Carolina is one of the greatest masterpieces 
of oratory in the English language. In this great speech, 
Mr. Webster, among other things, defended the Federal 
Union of the states as against the theory of States Rights. 







SLAVERY CAUSES TROUBLE 289 

Webster was secretary of state in President Harrison’s 
cabinet, but resigned that office during President Tyler’s 
administration. Opposed to the annexation of Texas and to 



Webster replying to Hayne 


the Mexican War, he became secretary of state under Presi¬ 
dent Fillmore. In a famous speech which he made in March, 
1850, the people of the North considered that he favored 
slavery in California, and for this reason, he lost much of his 
influence in the northern states. He was a member of the 
House of Representatives when Henry Clay was speaker, 
and unlike Clay, he opposed the War of 1812. He was 
offered the nomination of Vice-President in 1848, but de¬ 
clined it. Webster was also defeated for the nomination for 
President in 1852, and died during that year. 

371 . Cuba. — The southern people desired more territory 
in the South for slave states. Several could have been made 






290 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


in Cuba, if it had been part of the United States. Texas had 
been taken from Mexico for slavery; why could not Cuba 
be taken from Spain? Schemes were put on foot in the South 
to start a rebellion in Cuba against Spain. This, it was hoped, 
might lead to the United States taking such action as would 
bring on a war with Spain. It was believed that such a war 
would give us Cuba, and that island, once gained, could be 
made to give slavery new power. 

Parties were sent from southern ports to help others in 
Cuba to start civil war; but they failed, and the Cuban leaders 
were shot by order of the Spanish government. 

372. The Kansas-Nebraska Act. — There was a great area, 
a part of the Louisiana Purchase, lying on both sides of the 
Platte River, called the Platte Territory. In 1854 Congress 
passed a law which divided the Platte Territory into two 
organized territories — Kansas and Nebraska, and permitted 
the people living in these territories to decide, when they 
asked for statehood, whether they should have slavery or not. 

The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act repealed the 
Missouri Compromise. Many Democrats, feeling themselves 
dishonored by the course of their party, left it. The Whig 
party, formerly the party opposed to the views of Andrew 
Jackson, became the Republican party and many Democrats 
joined it. The South sent settlers to Kansas, that they 
might at the proper time out-vote the men who wanted it to 
become a free state. The North began sending men there 
to out-vote the slavery men. There was a race between the 
North and the South, to see which should get more men into 
the new territory. 

On election day, large numbers of slavery men came from 
Missouri and Arkansas, and cast votes for slavery. Their 
votes made it appear that slavery had won, and that when 


SLAVERY CAUSES TROUBLE 


291 


admitted, Kansas was to be a slave state. Kansas at length 
became a state of the Union, free from slavery. The Kansas 
contest made the Republican party stronger, and very greatly 
weakened the Democratic party. 

373. Japan. — The Kansas excitement did not prevent 
the national government from attending to other things. 
Japan had always held aloof from all nations and had no 
trade with foreign countries. 

In those days any article made 
in Japan was a great curiosity, 
because so few of them ever 
got out of that country. Our 
people wanted to trade with 
Japan; and in 1852 Commo¬ 
dore Perry, son of the hero of 
Lake Erie, was sent to Japan 
with a fleet to pay a friendly 
visit. A treaty of commerce 

was made, and from that day, 

_ ..... James Buchanan 

Japan, copying American ideas 

and methods, has advanced, until it is now the foremost 
nation of Asia. 

374. Election of Buchanan. — In the election of 1856 the 
new Republican party, which had become quite strong, 
opposed the Democratic party, but was defeated. James 
Buchanan of Pennsylvania, Democrat, was elected President. 

375. The Dred Scott Case. — For some time a case had 
been pending in the United States Supreme Court concerning 
a slave named Dred Scott. Very soon after Buchanan be¬ 
came President, the Court decided the case, and in doing so 
laid down some new points of law. One of these was that a 
slave could neither sue in the courts, nor be sued. Another 






292 


AMERICAN HISTORY 



was that a slave was the property of his owner, who could 
take him anywhere in the United States, and keep him as a 
slave. Yet another was that the Missouri Compromise 

Law never had any 
force, even before 
it was repealed. 

The Dred Scott 
decision seemed to 
put an end to the 
slavery question by 
making slavery 
lawful everywhere. 
The enemies of slav¬ 
ery were shocked, 
while its friends 
declared that all 
states and territo¬ 
ries had been de¬ 
clared open to slav¬ 
ery by the decision 
of the highest 
court. 

376. Abraham Lin¬ 
coln. — Stephen A. Douglas, Democrat, senator from Illinois, 
was the leader of such Democrats as believed that the Union 
should not be dissolved. In 1858 he sought re-election to 
the Senate, and his opponent was a man of the people, a 
Republican, named Abraham Lincoln. The two men met 
each other in debate, at various places in Illinois, and dis¬ 
cussed whether the people of a territory should decide the 
question of slavery. Douglas wanted to be the next Pres¬ 
ident and in the debate Lincoln put some questions to him. 








41 




Abraham Lincoln 



SLAVERY CAUSES TROUBLE 


2 93 


If he answered in one way, he would make enemies of the 
northern Democrats, and would lose the senatorship. If he 
answered in another, he would make friends of them and 
would be elected to the Senate. He favored the northern 
Democrats in his answer, and was elected. Lincoln was 
beaten, but Douglas had made enemies of the Democrats of 
the slave states, who would never vote for him for President. 

The wonderful skill and statesmanship shown by Lincoln 
in the debates with Douglas made him favorably known to 
Republicans everywhere, and brought him forward as their 
candidate for President in the election of i860. 

377. John Brown. — The people of the South were always 
in more or less fear of an uprising of slaves. There were a few 
people in the North who favored the idea of slave-risings in 
the South. Of these few was John Brown, who was at first 
a farmer in New York state and later went with his sons to 
Kansas. There he and his 
sons fought those who 
tried to carry the territory 
for slavery by force. 

Brown thought that if 
he could stir up the slaves 
of Virginia to fight their 
masters, the Southern peo¬ 
ple would be so terrified 
at the thought of further 
risings that they would 
be willing to free their 
slaves. The old man went to Harper’s Ferry with a small 
party, in the fall of 1859, and tried to start an uprising of 
slaves. He failed, and was soon afterward tried for murder 
and hanged. 



Harper’s Ferry in 1859 




294 


AMERICAN HISTORY 




378. Admission of New States. — During Buchanan’s 
administration Minnesota, Oregon, and Kansas were admitted 
as free states. Even with the Dred Scott decision to help 
slavery, it could spread no farther. It must stay where it 
was, and if so confined, it must die. The states now stood 
nineteen to fifteen against the spread of slavery. 

379. The Election of Abraham Lincoln. — The Democratic 
convention to name a man for the Presidency met at 
Charleston, S.C. Northern Democrats nominated Stephen A. 
Douglas, while the southern disunion Democrats nominated 
John C. Breckenridge of Kentucky. The Democratic party 
was now divided and neither wing could win in the election. 

The Republican convention was held at Chicago. Abraham 
Lincoln was nominated for President, and was elected. 

380. Secession. — The people of the South firmly believed 
that they had the right to take their states out of the Union. 
The people of the North as firmly believed that no state had 
a right to leave the Union, and that secession was treason. 
South Carolina took the lead, as she had done before when¬ 
ever there had been talk of disunion. Without waiting 
to see what the nation would do under its new President, 
South Carolina declared, in convention, while Buchanan was 
yet President, that she was an independent state, and spoke 
of the United States as a foreign country. 

381. Confederate States of America. — While Buchanan 
was yet President the people of Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, 
Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas seceded from the Union. 
When Lincoln became President, the seceding states had 
formed a new Union of their own, which they called the 
Confederate States of America. They elected as president, 
Jefferson Davis, who, since the death of Calhoun, had been 
the leader of the slavery wing of the Democratic party. 


SLAVERY CAUSES TROUBLE 


295 


SUMMARY 

1. Disputes about the southwest boundary line between Texas and 

Mexico are made the pretext for a war with Mexico. 

2. Two leading American generals of the Mexican War were Winfield Scott 

and Zachary Taylor. The latter became President. 

3. The Nation gains a vast territory from Mexico as a result of the war. 

4. Wilmot Proviso. 

5. California becomes a free state. 

6. Threats of secession. 

7. Death of President Taylor. President Fillmore. 

8. The Fugitive Slave Law. 

9. President Pierce. 

10. Unlawful interference with affairs in Cuba. 

11. The Kansas-Nebraska Act repeals the Missouri Compromise. Kansas 

admitted as a free state. 

12. Japan. 

13. President Buchanan. 

14. The Dred Scott Case. 

15. The Lincoln-Douglas debates. 

16. John Brown’s Raid. 

17. Minnesota, Oregon, and Kansas admitted. 

18. President Abraham Lincoln. 

19. Secession. Confederate States of America. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. What led to the Mexican War? 

2. What territory did we gain as a result of this war? 

3. What was the Wilmot Proviso? 

4. What was the Fugitive Slave Law? 

5. How was it regarded by the people of the North? 

6. Why was it desired by the people of the South that Cuba should become 

a part of the United States? 

7. What was the Kansas-Nebraska Act? To what events did it lead in 

Kansas? 

8 . Who went to Japan to open trade with the United States? With what 

success? 

9. What was the effect of the Dred Scott decision? 

10. What citizen of Illinois began to oppose the extension of slavery? 

11. Which was the first state to secede? How many states seceded from 

the Union? What did they call themselves? 


CHAPTER XVI 


THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 



Fort Sumter 


382. Fort Sumter. — For the defense of Charleston, S.C., 
the United States had, years before, built a fort upon an 
island in the harbor. This was Fort Sumter, named for a 

Revolutionary hero of the state. At the time of the secession 

* 

of South Carolina, the forts of 
Charleston harbor were manned 
by a few United States soldiers. 
Carolina demanded that t^ 
United States give up these forts, 
including Fort Sumter. When an 
unarmed vessel, sent by the gov¬ 
ernment with food for the soldiers in Fort Sumter, drew 
near the island, she was fired upon by the batteries on the 
shore. Thus the state had begun war on the United States. 

383. President Lincoln. — In his inaugural address Lin¬ 
coln said that he had no right to interfere with slaved, di- 
rectly or indirectly, and that he had no purpose to do so; # He 
declared that no state could rightfully withdraw frotfr the 
Union. He promised that he would use the power placed 
in him as President “to hold, occupy, and possess the property 
and places belonging to the Government.” He told t&ose 
present who were known to be in favor of secession, that^the 
government would not assail the South; that there could be 
no conflict unless it was forced on the government. 

There were many in the North, including General Scott, 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 


297 


commander-in-chief of the army, who thought it would be 
wise to allow the seceding states to withdraw from the Union. 



384. The South Begins the War. — Major Anderson, 
commandurg Fort Sumter, was calling for food for his men, 
when the President ordered that the nation’s soldiers, in the 
nation’s fort, should be fed. 

As soon as the President’s order was known, the president 
of the Confederate States demanded the surrender of Fort 
Sumter and, on Major Anderson’s refusal, the shore batteries 
opened fire. Within two days the weak garrison was over¬ 
come, and the American flag was hauled down in surrender. 
Four years, to a day, from the lowering of our national flag 
at Ebrt Sumter, the same shot-torn emblem of greatness was 
raised again in victory. The brave defenders of the South 
were vanquished, their states desolated, the flower of their 
youth tekl in early graves, and slavery was dead. 



















AMERICAN HISTORY 


298 

385 . Effect of the Capture of Fort Sumter. — As the news 
of the capture of Fort Sumter flashed over the country, North 
and South, patriotism broke into flame. In the South, the 
young men rushed to camp. In the North, the President 
called for seventy-five thousand volunteer soldiers, and from 
Maine to Texas, men made ready for war. 

Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina also 
seceded, and there were then eleven States in the Southern 

Confederacy. The border states of 
Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, and 
Delaware were slave states but did not 
leave the Union. 

Richmond, capital of Virginia, be¬ 
came the capital of the Confederate 
States. 

386 . Condition of the South. — The 

South was unprepared for war. It takes 
more than men to carry on war, for 
those who fight must be armed, clothed, 
and fed by those who stay'at home. 
The South raised cotton and tobacco, 
but was not a manufacturing country. 
It had always depended on its crops 
for its needs and had traded largely with Europe. It meant 
to trade cotton for arms, clothes, and everything that its 
soldiers needed in the field. 

387 . The Blockade. — To get supplies and to send out 
privateers, the South needed open harbors and ports. Lin¬ 
coln, seeing how important it was that the ports of the South 
should be closed to commerce, sent war-ships to blockade the 
harbors. No vessel could go into or out of a southern port 
except by running through the fire of Union war-ships. The 



A Southern Planter 

























































































































































THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 


299 


blockade soon brought the South to severe want for the 
necessities of life as well as for things needful in warfare. 
Some vessels ran the blockade successfully, but many were 
captured and some were sunk. More 
than fifteen hundred were taken or sunk 
during the war. Because it could not be 
sent out of the country, cotton was as 
cheap as five cents a pound in Charleston, 
while English manufacturers were offering 
two dollars and a half a pound for it in 
Liverpool, England. The blockade finally 
broke down the Confederacy and made its 
war a failure. 

388. Preparation. — Now came a period 
of getting ready. Troops were drilling — 

North and South. The people on both 
sides grew restless. “Why do not our 
soldiers fight?” asked those of the North. Union Soldier in 
“Why do not our soldiers whip the Yan- Uniform 

kees?” asked those of the South. “On to Washington! ” 
said one. “On to Richmond!” said the other. Both were 
over-sure; both had much to learn. 

389. Bull Run. — In July, 1861, General McDowell with 
a Union army was in front of Washington, while General 
Beauregard with a much smaller Confederate force stood 
guard over Richmond, about thirty miles southwest of Wash¬ 
ington, near a little stream called Bull Run. From this point 
he could defend Richmond or attack Washington. General 
McDowell marched against Beauregard and engaged his 
force at Bull Run, July 21. The Confederates, ably led by 
“Stonewall” Jackson and Generals Beauregard and Johnston, 
were constantly receiving re-enforcements, while the expected 











3 °° 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


help for the Federal troops did not arrive. In the afternoon 
a spirited attack was made by the Confederates on the flank 
and rear of the Federal forces. The Union army was routed 
and retreated in mad haste to Washington. Ihe defeat at 
Bull Run taught the North that war is a serious thing, and 
that victories in the field can not be won without careful 
planning by able generals in command of trained soldiers. 

390. Call for Volunteers; General George B. McClellan. 

■— President Lincoln at once called for half a million volun¬ 
teers, for it was now clear that 
there was to be a great war. 

In the early days of the war, 
General Scott, who had won 
fame in the Mexican War, was 
in command of the Union armies. 
But in November, 1861, a 
younger man, fresh from his 
studies of war in Europe, Gen¬ 
eral George B. McClellan, was 
placed in charge. 

It had been the first care of 
the President to see that the 
slave states that had not seceded were kept in the Union. 
In each of these states, however, were many who favored 
secession and joined the Confederate Army, while Missouri, 
for instance, sent men to both armies by thousands. Union 
control of the border slave states, especially in Kentucky and 
Missouri, was not gained without much fighting. By the 
end of 1861, the Confederacy was beset by land and sea and 
was struggling to defend itself. 

391. West Virginia. — The people in Virginia were gener¬ 
ally in favor of the Union, but the politicians dragged them 



George B. McClellan 




THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 


3 01 



into the Confederacy. In the mountainous western part of 
the state slavery was not profitable, the climate and soil 
not being good for such crops as required slave labor. There 
the people did not join the Confederacy, and after Virginia 
seceded from the Union, West 
Virginia was made a separate 
state in 1863. 

392. Mason and Slidell. — The 

South could not send cotton to be 
sold out of the country, and thus 
was crippled for want of money. 

As the colonies had gained the 
help of France against England 
in the Revolution, so the Confed¬ 
erate states, in their struggle for 
independence, sought the help not 
only of France but of England 
also. They sent two of their ablest men to Europe to get 
help from these nations. 

Before these messengers, Mason and Slidell, reached 
Europe, the English vessel on which they sailed was stopped 
by an American war-ship and they were taken off and held 
as prisoners. In thus removing men from the vessel of a 
foreign nation the United States did what England had done 
before the War of 1812. England was as angry now as 
America had been years before, and steps were taken toward 
making war on the United States. Mason and Slidell were 
set free, however, with the understanding that, thereafter, 
neither nation was to search the vessels of the other. 

393. Forts Donelson and Henry. — In the northwestern 
part of Tennessee there are two rivers, the Tennessee and the 
Cumberland, which were important routes for steamboat 


Robert E. Lee 




302 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


traffic. The Confederates controlled these rivers by means 
of Fort Henry on the Tennessee River and Fort Donelson on 
the Cumberland. The Union armies under General U. S. 
Grant, after some severe fighting, captured these forts early 



Taking the Ramparts at Fort Donelson 

in 1862. Much help was given by the Union gunboats in the 
rivers, commanded by Commodore Foote. Many prisoners 
and great stores of war supplies, which the Confederates much 
needed, fell into the hands of our army. The Confederates 
soon surrendered Columbus on the Mississippi, not far away. 
The command of the Mississippi and its branches was as 
important, in this war, as that of the Hudson had been in the 
war of the Revolution; but the great river was not yet under 
Federal control, for, farther south was another strong fort, 




THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 


303 


known as Island Number Ten. Grant’s victories caused 
the Confederates to abandon thousands of square miles of 
territory which they had hoped to hold. The outside pressure 
of the Union Armies was forcing the Confederacy back 
within itself. 

394. Control of the Mississippi. — It was the purpose of 
President Lincoln to keep the South from getting materials 
from outside. The Confederacy was blockaded along the 
coast, but arms and other war supplies could be brought in 
by way of Mexico and from the country on the west, across 
the Mississippi River. To shut off these supplies it was 
needful that the Mississippi should be held by Union soldiers 
and Union gunboats. As soon as control of the Mississippi 
River should be gained, the Confederacy would be cut in two, 
and it would be difficult for the Confederates to move men 
and supplies, for there were but few railroads in that region. 
Whichever side held the western rivers, had a great advantage 
over the other. 

395. Battle of Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing; Corinth. — 

Next in importance to the rivers were the railroads, and to 
get control of these was the purpose of General Grant, who 
began to move toward Corinth, in the northeast part of the 
state of Mississippi, where several railroads centered. 

The Confederates had good generals who knew what Grant 
wanted, and meant to block his movement. When he started 
up the Tennessee River toward Corinth, General A. S. John¬ 
ston, one of the ablest generals of the Confederacy, advanced 
toward Grant’s army. As Grant halted to rest his men and 
to wait for General Buell to join him with his army, Johnston, 
with a greater force, fell upon him with furious attack. 
Every Confederate soldier knew as well as his great leader 
how much depended on victory. Grant’s army was driven 


3°4 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


back, but Johnston, in the moment of apparent victory, was 
killed. Then Beauregard, who had whipped the Union 
Army at Bull Run in the East, took command. “We will 
finish our victory in the morning,” said Beauregard. “Our 
hardest fighting comes to-morrow,” said Grant. That night 
Buell came up to help Grant, and in the morning, April 7, 
1862, the fight went on again. By nightfall the Union Army 
was victorious in the hardest fought battle of the war in the 
West. 

The day after the defeat at Pittsburg Landing, the Con¬ 
federates gave up Island Number Ten. Then the Mississippi 
River was controlled by the Federal forces as far south as 
Vicksburg. The victory at Pittsburg Landing made the fall 
of Corinth sure, and in May it surrendered. 

396. The Duel of the Ironclads. — In the early days of the 
war General Scott caused forts to be built around Washington, 
and Fortress Monroe, in Virginia, was well manned with 
Federal troops. When Virginia seceded, the state govern¬ 
ment seized the Navy Yard at Portsmouth and the Arsenal 
at Harper’s Ferry, but not until both had been destroyed as 
far as could be done, by the Federal officers in charge. 

At the Navy Yard several war-vessels were sunk to prevent 
their capture, among them the steam frigate Merrimac , 
which the Confederates afterward raised and made into a 
a war-vessel of a new kind. 

They built on the Merrimac sides of heavy iron, which 
sloped upward from the water. No cannon ball could strike 
them squarely; every shot that might hit would glance off 
and be harmless. When the craft was done they named her 
the Virginia and thought that with her they would be able 
to break through the blockade of Union war-vessels. 

While the South was building the Virginia the North 


THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 


305 



was also building an iron-sheathed vessel to meet the former 
when she should be completed. There was to be a greater 
duel between two war-vessels than the world had yet seen. 

397. The “ Monitor— The Monitor , built by Captain 
John Ericsson, was a vessel lying so low that her deck was but 


The “Monitor” and the “Virginia” 

two or three feet above water level. Her sides were of timber 
several feet thick, covered on the outside with heavy iron 
plates which no cannon ball could pierce. Her deck, plated 
with iron, was so flat and low that no shot could harm it. 
Built upon the deck was an enclosure shaped like a cheese- 
box, made of thick iron, and within this turret, as it was 
called, were two heavy guns. The turret could be made to 
turn, by machinery, so that the guns might be pointed in 
any direction. The revolving turret was the idea of a skilful 
inventor, Theodore R. Timby, who died in Brooklyn in 1911. 

On March 8, 1862, the Virginia came down from Norfolk 
and fought the wooden ships at Hampton Roads. She struck 













AMERICAN HISTORY 


3°6 

the noble Cumberland with her iron prow, and cut the ves¬ 
sel half-way through. She set the Congress on fire and 
destroyed her. 

The Virginia started the next day to resume her work, but 
during the night the Monitor had arrived, and the two vessels 
opened fire upon each other. It was iron against iron now, 
and the Virginia after a fearful fight returned to Norfolk, 
never to fight again. The Monitor saved the rest of the 
Union war-vessels; saved the Northern cities; saved the 
blockade; saved the Union. A little later, when the Union 
armies marched for Richmond, Norfolk was taken; but 
before it fell, the Confederates destroyed the Virginia. The 
Monitor was later lost at sea while cruising off the coast of 
North Carolina. 

The fight at Hampton Roads taught the world that wooden 
war-ships were useless and for this reason the encounter of 
the two iron-clads stands as one of the most important sea- 
battles in history. 

398. New Orleans. — The South in 1862, the second year 
of the war, still held the lower part of the Mississippi River. 
Grant, with the armies and the gunboats, was gaining the river 
from the northward; another force must enter at its mouth 
and work up-stream. In the spring a fleet under Commodore 
Farragut, bearing an army, sailed against New Orleans. 

The Confederates made skilful plans for the defense of 
the river and city. After four days of fighting, however, the 
Federals prevailed, and the city of New Orleans was taken. 
The loss of the outlet of the Mississippi Valley hurt the cause 
of the Confederacy, not only in America but in Europe. 
France and England would now think twice before siding with 
the South. 

The South had then but two strongholds on the river, 


THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 


307 


Port Hudson and Vicksburg. Farragut moved up the stream 
with his vessels to attack them, but it was necessary for him 
to wait for the army. These strongholds could be taken 
only by the navy and the army fighting together. 

399. The Draft in the South. — By the spring of 1862 no 
more volunteers for the Confederate armies were to be had. 
Then the Confederate Congress passed a law which drew 
into the army all men between eighteen and thirty-five years 
of age. By the fall of the same year, all men under forty-five 
years of age were made to join the army. 

400. The Blockade Goes On. — The North was pressing the 
blockade, but there were not enough ships to watch properly 
all the ports of the Confederacy. Besides, it was dangerous 
for vessels to lie outside, on the ocean, exposed to the terrible 
storms of the Atlantic, 
with no near harbors to 
run into in case of need. 

It was therefore thought 
best to capture some of 
the seaports, which might 
be used by Union vessels 
as harbors of refuge. The 
ships blockading them 
might then be sent to 
watch other ports. So, one 
after another, the seaports 
were taken. 

401. Privations of the South. — By this time every south¬ 
ern seaport except Savannah, Charleston, and Wilmington 
had been taken. The South could have no trade with Europe 
but such as might be made by means of steamers stealing by 
the watchful Union war-ships that lay in wait for them off 



Worn by a Confederate soldier in latter 
part of the war 












3°8 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


these three ports. The blockade bore heavily upon the 
southern people. Tea, coffee, and salt were very hard to get. 
There were but few medicines to be had, either for the armies 
or for the people. The southern soldiers had to find clothing 
for themselves as best they could; and thousands of them 
wore captured Union uniforms. 

The southern people gave their carpets to be made into 
blankets for the soldiers. Coarse homespun cloth, woven on 
hand-looms as in colonial times, became common; and so did 
wooden-soled shoes like those worn in Europe by the peasants. 
Meat became very scarce and costly, especially after the 
Union armies and gunboats had taken the Mississippi River, 
so that cattle from Texas could not be had. There were 
bread riots in some of the southern cities, which were put 
down by military force. In Richmond, President Davis 
himself, by threats of having the troops fire on it, scattered a 
mob which was demanding bread. The courage of the south¬ 
ern people, and especially that of the southern women, during 
this terrible period was marvelous. 

402. The North. — The North, a land of plenty, felt no 
pinch of poverty or famine. Volunteers had been called for, 
again and again, and every year brought a new host of youth 
to the proper age for service, and these took their places 
willingly, to fight for the Union. Immigrants kept coming 
from Europe, and many of them entered the Union armies 
to light for their adopted country. The North had many 
more men in the field than the South. 

403. Richmond; McClellan. — General McClellan, with 
a hundred thousand men, went to Fortress Monroe and from 
there set out for Richmond. The Confederate generals 
were more active than McClellan. The last day of May 
and the first day of June, 1862, saw a vigorous attack on his 


THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 309 

force which had marched toward Richmond. This attack 
ended much to the advantage of the Confederates. 

McClellan, cut oh from his supplies, had to fight to get 
away. For seven days the Confederates kept after him, in 
a series of terrific fights known as the Seven Days’ Battle, 
but they were checked at last at Malvern Hill, July 1, and 



Richmond in 1862 

McClellan’s army reached the James River, where the gun¬ 
boats could help keep back the foe. From there the army 
was moved to Washington; and thus the second attempt to 
take Richmond had ended in failure. McClellan had shown 
that, while weak in attack, he was a genius at defense, for 
his retreat was masterful. But what the nation wanted 
was a general who could make the enemy retreat. So Hal- 
leck, who had been in command over Grant in the West, was 
called to Washington to be general-in-chief. General Pope, 
who had a good record, was put in command of the 
army that was to make the third attempt to take Richmond. 










3 IQ 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


404. Second Eattle of Bull Run. — Pope was as much too 

rash as McClellan had been too cautious. Long before he 
could get to Richmond, the Confederate General “Stonewall” 
Jackson slipped in behind him and got his supplies of ammuni¬ 
tion and food. The two armies came together very near the 
old Bull Run battle-ground, and for the third time the Union 
Army was defeated, and it fell back to Washington. 

405. The Confederate Army Advances. — The Confed¬ 
erate commander, General Robert E. Lee, thought it time 
for his army to advance. “ Maryland is a slave state. There 
must be many friends of the South there. Perhaps they are 
ready to join a Confederate Army, if it comes to them victo¬ 
rious. If we rush through Maryland with an army growing 
stronger every day, and can win a northern city or two, we 
may end the war.” So said the wise men of the Confederacy, 
as Lee set forth with sixty thousand men. 

406. Antietam; Fredericksburg. — McClellan’s army was 
thrown across Lee’s front to check him, and there was a battle 
at Antietam, Maryland, September 17, 1862. Lee’s army fell 
back after a terrible fight. McClellan failed to follow, and 
the next day the Confederate forces crossed the Potomac and 
marched back into Virginia. The President now set McClellan 
aside and gave the command to General Burnside. 

Then began the fourth march on Richmond, and at Fred¬ 
ericksburg, December 13, the Union Army was beaten again, 
as it seemed fated to be whenever it started toward Richmond. 

407. Third Year of the War. — General Hooker was placed 
in command in January, 1863, and Burnside went back to his 
corps. General Hooker determined to attempt to take 
Richmond by marching up the Rappahannock River. He had 
a much larger army than Lee, and the two forces met 
at Chancellorsville, a short distance west of the fateful field 


THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 


3ii 

of Fredericksburg, on the south bank of the Rappahannock. 
The Federal forces met with another crushing defeat through 
a masterly attack on their flank by “Stonewall” Jackson. 

Thomas J. (“ Stonewall ”) Jackson, a native of Virginia, was 
one of the ablest commanders of the Confederate forces, being 
“ the most striking figure of the war on the Southern side.” 



The Confederacy at the Close of 1862 


As an able general and a military genius he ranks with Gen¬ 
erals Robert E. Lee and Joseph E. Johnston, whom Virginia 
also gave to the Confederate army. His steadiness and 
bravery in the first battle of Bull Run, when a part of the 
Confederate forces were retreating, earned for him the name 
of “Stonewall,” for his brigade, instead of retreating, calmly 
awaited the attack, standing in line as firm as a stone wall. 
Lee considered that Jackson was his most able general, and 
the latter distinguished himself at the second battle of Bull 
Run, at An tie tarn, and at Fredericksburg. After the battle 
of Chancellorsville (May, 1863) while returning from a recon- 
























AMERICAN HISTORY 


3 12 

noitering expedition with a few of his escort, General Jackson 
was shot by his own men, who mistook him and his aids for 
a small Federal force. 

408. Slavery and the Emancipation Proclamation. — Presi¬ 
dent Lincoln said that his great object was to restore the 

Union, and neither to save nor de¬ 
stroy slavery. He declared that he 
would save the Union without free¬ 
ing any slaves if he could; that if 
by freeing all the slaves he could 
save the Union, he would, or, that 
if by freeing some, and leaving 
others in bondage, he could save 
the Union, he would do that. 

What to do with slavery was 
a grave question. The President 

finally proclaimed that, if the 
Stonewall Jackson p e0 pl e in the seceded states did 

not lay down their arms by the first day of 1863, he would 
declare that all their slaves should be forever free. 

On the first day of January, 1863, President Lincoln de¬ 
clared that, in all parts of the country where there was war 
against the Union, slavery should exist no more. 

409. Results of Emancipation. — The slaves became rest¬ 
less. As fast as they could, they ran away into the Union 
lines. Those that were left did not work as well as they had 
done before. Confederate soldiers now did much of the work 
about the camps, on the march, and at the breastworks, 
that before this time had been done by slaves. There were 
fewer Confederates now on the firing line. In another way 
emancipation helped the Union cause, for many negroes, 
North and South, became soldiers in the Union Army. 



THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 


313 


ArCZZ, o~~oft* P&> Y- 



'^ X * J l~j*r*J t&J CkM 


Z, ttfo G>^ZZCry,y, 

** rb^L&ZZ^ n^ou^czr J ... _ 





Extract from Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation 
Reduced facsimile of the autograph copy 


410. Confederate War-Ships on the Sea. — It was beyond 
the power of the South to build ocean war-ships. The Con¬ 
federacy depended on England and France for them. In 
England two very powerful war-vessels, the Florida and the 
Alabama , were built for the Confederacy. These were to be 
used to destroy American merchant ships on the sea. 

411. England and France. — It was against the laws of 
nations, as it was against the spirit of fair play, for England 





3 T 4 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


to allow these vessels to be built and to sail from her ports 
to prey upon American ships. The Alabama and the Florida 
did great damage to our commerce, by destroying our mer¬ 
chant ships. Both avoided our armed vessels, but finally 
the Alabama was sunk by our Kearsarge and the Florida was 

captured. Some strong 
naval vessels were built for 
the Confederacy in France; 
but they never got out of 
port to do any damage to 
the ships of the United 
States. 



The Cruiser “Alabama’’ _ « , _ . 

412. Exchange of Prison¬ 
ers. — Up to this time it had been the custom to exchange 
prisoners taken in battle. There were great prison camps, 
North and South, in which thousands of captive soldiers 
were kept under guard. Union prisoners, held in southern 
prisons and prison pens, suffered from overcrowding and 
lack of proper food and water. Those that did not die from 
exposure and other causes soon became mere wrecks of men. 
They were thus unable to serve as soldiers should they be 
exchanged. To give to the Confederacy a well-fed, strong 
soldier, able to take the field and fight at once, in exchange 
for a famished, sick, half-dead Union soldier, fit only for the 
hospital, was only to strengthen the enemy, and for many 
months there were no exchanges of prisoners. 

413. The Draft Riots. — A draft is the drawing of men 
into the army by lot, whether they want to be soldiers or not. 
A list of all able-bodied men between the ages of eighteen and 
forty-five years was made, and from those so enrolled, men 
were drawn or drafted. The ignorant and vicious of the 
people of New York City began rioting against the draft. 






THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 315 

The mob was guilty of much murderous brutality, but was at 
length put down by the militia, after more than a thousand 
people had been killed. 

414. Gettysburg. — Lee swung his army into Pennsyl¬ 
vania in the summer of 1863, and the hopes of the South ran 
high. As soon as the Union commanders saw what Lee’s 



The Battle of Gettysburg 


plan was, they moved the Union forces to break it up. The 
two armies came together at Gettysburg, the Union forces 
under General Meade. The battle began on the first day of 
July, 1863, and lasted for three days. On the third day the 
Confederates made one of the most desperate charges known 
in the history of the war. On that charge hung the fate of 
the Confederacy, and those devoted heroes in gray knew it. 
It failed. A monument to honor those heroes now stands at 
the foremost point reached by that charging host. Many 
monuments in honor of Northern regiments have also been 
erected at Gettysburg. Lee was defeated; and his shattered 
army made its way in sorrow back to Virginia. 




3t6 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


415. Vicksburg. —-For two weeks Grant had laid close 
siege to Vicksburg, which commanded the Mississippi. On 
July 4, 1863, while Lee was retreating from Gettysburg, 
Pemberton, the Confederate commander at Vicksburg, was 
surrendering to Grant. More prisoners and war supplies were 



taken by Grant at Vicksburg than were ever before surren¬ 
dered at one time in any war. Lee had lost thirty thousand 
men, and Pemberton more than that. Four days later, Port 
Hudson on the Mississippi surrendered to the Union Army, 
and the whole river, from its source to its mouth, was now in 
the control of the Federal forces. 

416. Chattanooga and Chickamauga. — Next to Richmond 
in importance to the South, was the city of Chattanooga. It 
















THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 


3i7 



- - • 
George H. Thomas 


was a railway center and the gateway to eastern Tennessee. 
General Rosecrans, commanding the Union Army, took 
Chattanooga in September, forcing the Confederate General 
Bragg and his army back to Chick- 
amauga, Georgia. There Bragg 
was joined by another army and, 
turning on Rosecrans who was pur¬ 
suing him, defeated the Federal 
forces and drove them back to 
Chattanooga. 

The battle o f Chickamauga 
(September 19-20, 1863) was one 1 
of the severest of the war. 

That the Federal forces were not ■ 
entirely captured or destroyed was 
due to the courage and tenacity 
of General George H. Thomas, who was in command of 
the left wing of the Federal army. On the second day of 
the fight, a portion of the Federal right wing was with¬ 
drawn through misinterpreting an order issued by General 
Rosecrans. This so weakened the Federal forces that the 
Confederates routed a large part of them, who retreated 
toward Chattanooga. The left wing of the Federals, under 
the command of General Thomas, was alone left upon the 
field at Missionary Ridge, and bore the attack of the entire 
Confederate army. Throughout the day General Thomas 
heroically held his ground, beating back the Confederate 
forces again and again, thus saving the whole Federal army 
and insuring Federal control of Chattanooga. 

During the night, General Thomas withdrew his forces 
and succeeded in reaching Chattanooga the next day. The 
Confederates, however, won this battle and the victory 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


3i8 

cheered them in their season of defeat. For his gallant 
steadfast bravery in this engagement - in which he held his 
men steady as a rock, General Thomas has been justly called 
the “Rock of Chickamauga.” 

417. Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. — Bragg 
besieged Rosecrans in Chattanooga, as Grant had besieged 
Pemberton in Vicksburg. It seemed that starvation would 
compel the surrender of the Union Army, as all its supplies 
were cut off. Thousands of horses and mules died for want 
of food, and there was not enough powder and ball for a 
day’s battle. 

Up to this time, one general in the Union Army had never 
failed. Whatever task had been set for General Grant had 
been carried through. He was now placed in command of all 
the armies of the West. Hurrying to Chattanooga, he very 
quickly found a way to get supplies to the starving army. 
Late in November, 1863, Bragg’s forces were defeated in the 
battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and were 
driven into Georgia. 

418. English and French War-Vessels for the South. — 

In England more war-vessels were being built for the Con¬ 
federacy. Our minister in England told the English govern¬ 
ment that the sailing of those ships meant war for England. 
Other war-vessels were being built in France, but when the 
emperor saw that their leaving port meant war, he held them 
back. Germany and Russia were friendly to the United 
States during the war. 

419. Grant in Command. — It was now 1864; a President 
was to be elected. During this year the main issue was 
whether the war should go on, or whether the South should be 
allowed to go out of the Union. The fate of the nation was 
at stake. The election was more important than any battle 


THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 


3*9 


of the war. To save the Union, Lincoln must be elected 
again. To elect Lincoln, more victories must be won, that 
the hearts of those who were despondent might be strength¬ 
ened. Early in the year General Grant was put in command 
of all the Union armies; and the hopes of the North were 



centered in the general who never yet had failed. It was now 
Grant against Lee. 

420. Grant’s Plans. — The Confederacy had been bat¬ 
tered back from the outside until its fighting area was confined 
to Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia. Richmond and 
Atlanta were now the most important points in the South. 
Early in May, Grant set out to fight Lee, and to capture 
Richmond. He ordered Sherman to go after Johnston’s 
army, and to take Atlanta. 

421. The Wilderness; a Fighting General. —Both Grant 
and Sherman were successful in finding the enemy. May 
6 and 7, 1864, saw Grant’s force in a death grapple with 




















3 2 ° 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Lee’s army in the “ Wilderness/’ Grant with nearly twice the 
force of Lee. There was severe fighting, and Grant did not 
win. “The Yankees are whipped again,” said the Con¬ 
federates. “They will now fall back to Washington, as they 
always do.” But, to their surprise, the new general did not 
seem to know when he was whipped. He did not fall back, 
as McDowell, McClellan, Burnside, Hooker, and Pope had 
done, when they were whipped. He swung around to the 
left and came on again. 

422. Spottsylvania. — This time the fighting was at Spott- 
sylvania Court House. Lee was waiting for him, and again 
Grant did not win, though, as before, the fighting was fearful 
and the harvest of death was great. Baffled twice, Grant 
still kept on fighting. He seemed to know that war is fighting; 
and he kept on fighting. He sent this despatch to President 
Lincoln, “I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all 
summer.” 

423. Cold Harbor. — Again Grant swung to the left, and 
at Cold Harbor he again found Lee in his way. What was 
left of the two armies again grappled, and again, after fearful 
slaughter, Grant failed to win. 

424. Petersburg. — Once more Grant swung to the left, 
this time crossing the James River. He entrenched before 
Petersburg, which was the key to Richmond, and here again 
Lee faced him. In the six weeks of fighting, since Grant 
started, he had lost fifty thousand men. Lee, having the 
advantage of fighting behind earth-works, had lost less, but 
had lost more than he could afford. The two armies were 
grinding each other down; and now, as they stood face to 
face at Petersburg, it was a trial of strength, to see which 
could hold out longer. Grant’s army could be kept up by 
recruits to take the places of the slain; Lee’s could not, for 


THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 


321 



the Confederacy could draft no more men. The South was 
tired out, starved out, and could not last much longer. 

425. The Shenandoah Valley. — Lee’s wonderful skill 
could not make up for the lack of men. He missed “Stone¬ 
wall ” Jackson. For want of him he sent a less able general 
to try the old trick of threatening Washington by a movement 
through the Shenandoah Valley. General Early went there 













3 22 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


with a force, hoping to draw troops away from Grant. He 
did draw troops from Grant, and they, under General Sheri¬ 
dan, drove him back, but still Grant kept his pressure on Lee. 
He was holding Lee’s force in check while Sherman was fight¬ 
ing Johnston in the West. Thus the winter of 1864 went by. 
Grant’s army was in front of Petersburg, threatening Rich¬ 
mond; Lee’s smaller force was in and about Petersburg, 
defending Richmond. The South, stricken by poverty and 
want, was robbing its homes to feed and clothe Lee’s soldiers, 
while the North, the home of plenty, was supplying Grant’s 
men without feeling it. 

426. Desperate Measures. — The Confederate leaders, 
baffled at every point, grew desperate. They were ready to 
try any scheme, however wild, that gave even a faint hope of 
success. They sent disguised men to Canada to arrange for 
raids into the northern states, where secret organizations 
were to help them. They thought thus to set free many 
thousands of Confederate prisoners. They sent men to take 
passage on steamboats on the Great Lakes, and kill the un¬ 
armed crews and seize the vessels. They sent men to burn 
northern cities. An attempt was made, late in the year, to 
burn New York. The plan was to set fire to about a dozen 
hotels and theaters, all at once. Had the plan succeeded, 
hundreds, if not thousands, of women and children would 
have lost their lives. Fortunately the fires started were all 
put out. 

427. Taxes in the Confederacy. — In the South, the notes 
of the Confederacy, the states, and the cities — for they all had 
put out notes — were worthless. The tax-gatherers no longer 
took such notes in payment of taxes. They went around 
among the people, seizing one-tenth of all the crops raised. 
The governor of Virginia, in his message, asked that some- 


THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 


323 


thing be done to prevent starvation in the state. Many of 
the soldiers had not been paid in two years. There was 
danger of war in many parts of the South because of the op¬ 
pression of the people. 

428. The Nation’s Credit. — The notes of the govern¬ 
ment went down in value until it took nearly three dollars of 
greenbacks to buy as much as could be bought for a dollar in 
gold. Many said that it was unwise to buy government 
bonds and that purchasers of these bonds were throwing away 
their money as the bonds would soon be worthless. 

429. Atlanta Falls. — While Grant was fighting Lee and 
holding him at bay, Sherman was busy in the West. Atlanta, 
center of railroads and city of factories, was helpful to the 
Confederacy, and it must be taken. Sherman set out to 
take the city. Johnston with his army stood in the way. 
He was a great general, but his army was weak, too weak to 
face Sherman’s force in a set battle. He fell slowly back, 
forced by Sherman from point to point; and Sherman drew 
nearer and nearer to the city he sought. 

Then Davis, President of the Confederacy, displaced John¬ 
ston with General Hood, who loved fighting. As Johnston 
had foreseen, Hood was defeated in every battle, and Sherman 
took Atlanta early in September, 1864, after its defenders 
had set the city on fire. While Sherman was taking Atlanta, 
Farragut, with his fleet and a force of soldiers, took Mobile. 
Thus, while Grant kept Lee from helping Johnston, Sherman 
was tearing down the Confederacy and destroying its 
railroads. 

430. The March to the Sea. — After losing Atlanta, Hood 
made what both President Davis and he believed to be a 
master move. He put his army behind that of Sherman so 
as to cut off Sherman’s supplies from the North. 


3 2 4 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


But Hood had done just what Sherman and Grant had 
hoped he would do. The army of General Thomas attended 
to Hood and his force, while Sherman cut loose from his line 
of supplies and, with his sixty thousand men, started on a 
long march across the enemy’s country, “from Atlanta to the 
sea.” His men helped themselves to food as they went, and 
proved even harder tax-gatherers than those of the Con¬ 
federacy had been. The Confederacy had been pressed back 
into a small compass; it was now to be torn up at its very 
heart. Factories and railroads were destroyed throughout 
a strip sixty miles wide across the state of Georgia. Reach¬ 
ing the sea-coast, Sherman took the city of Savannah about 
Christmas, 1864. 

431. The Elections. — It was now the fall of 1864; the 
election of a President was to be held in November. The 
Peace Democrats of the North had nominated General 
McClellan, and the Republicans and War Democrats were 
going to vote for Lincoln. 

To the long list of Union victories that had come to cheer 
the North, more were added by Sheridan, who had been sent 
to sweep the Shenandoah Valley. On the nineteenth of Sep¬ 
tember, 1864, there was a victory at Winchester; on the 
twenty-second, one at Fisher’s Hill; and on October 19, 
another at Cedar Creek. The Confederate Army was driven 
from the valley, never to return. 

In the election the nation won the greatest victory of the 
war, for Lincoln was again made President. Andrew John¬ 
son, a War Democrat, was elected Vice-President. Enough 
Republican Senators and Congressmen were elected to pro¬ 
pose an amendment to the Constitution that killed slavery, 
thus making good the President’s Proclamation of Emanci¬ 
pation. 


THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 


325 


\ 


432. The South Fights through Pride. — The Confed¬ 
eracy lost the war when its great charge at Gettysburg failed. 
From that day the war went on because the leaders were too 
proud to yield. The saying was common in the camps of 
the South, “This is a rich man’s war and a poor man’s fight.” 



It was now late in 1864; only two ports were left to the Con¬ 
federacy, and it had but two armies. Lee was still shut up 
by Grant, while Johnston was beset by Sherman, against 
whom he could not hold his ground. The nation had more 
than a million men in the field; and it was only a matter of 
weeks when the Confederacy must, end from sheer weakness. 

433. Sherman Marches North. — Scarcely had the new 
year, 1865, begun when Wilmington was taken. Charleston 
now remained, and though it had resisted more than one 
attack by sea, it could not withstand the attack that Sherman 
was prepared to make by land. On the first of February, 
1865, Sherman set forth from Savannah to march through the 


















AMERICAN HISTORY 


326 

Carolinas, as he had marched through Georgia. On the 
seventeenth, he took Columbia, the capital of South Carolina. 
Now Charleston could be starved out; but without waiting 
for that, the city surrendered, and Fort Sumter was given up 
to the nation, from which it had been withheld four years. 



It was now* proposed in the South that negroes should be 
made to serve as soldiers; but though the proposal met with 
favor from General Lee, it was not put in force. 

Sherman went on from Columbia, and by the middle of 
March had reached Raleigh and Goldsboro, N. C. Here he 
was joined by troops from the coast and, with his hundred 
thousand men, he rested and waited for what might happen. 
He was expecting a movement by Lee’s army. 

434. Grant and Lee at Petersburg. — Grant was watching 
Lee, ready to spring upon his army at the first sign of a move¬ 
ment. Sheridan, having swept the Shenandoah Valley, was 
now with Grant. On the first day of April, 1865, by Grant’s 



















THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 


327 


order, he seized the last railroad by which Lee’s army could 
receive supplies. Lee must now attack Grant and be de¬ 
feated with dreadful slaughter; or retreat from Richmond, 
which would give his men a chance to desert by thousands; 
or stay where he was, and let his men starve. 

435. Lee Abandons Richmond. — On April 2, Grant 
pressed Lee all along the line, breaking through and forcing 
him back toward Richmond. By the morning of the third, 
Richmond had been abandoned, and Lee’s army was in full 
retreat toward Lynchburg. The Union Army followed 
swiftly, to overtake it and bring it to battle, for it was known 
that Lee hoped to join Johnston and prolong the war. 

On the sixth of April, the rear of Lee’s army was overtaken 
and several thousand prisoners with several miles of wagon 
train were captured. On the ninth of April, the Union troops, 
under Sheridan blocked the way, and held what was left 
of the Confederate force until the rest of the Union Army 
came up. Most of Lee’s men had left his columns and started 
for their homes, feeling that all was lost. 

436. Lee’s Surrender. — To fight was hopeless, and Lee 
surrendered the weak remnant of his army to General Grant, 
A.pril 9, 1865, at Appomattox Court House, Va. 

The soldiers in blue and those in gray, who an hour before 
had sought to kill one another, now mingled in fellowship. 
The haversacks of the well-fed boys in blue were opened freely 
for the famished boys in gray. A gallant victor is always 
generous to a defeated but gallant foe. “Keep your horses,” 
said Grant to the Confederate soldiers, “ you will need them 
for your spring plowing.” 

Sherman’s army was still resting in North Carolina and 
waiting for news, when the soldiers noticed that the people 
seemed strangely sad. “Have you not heard the news?” 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


328 

said a gentleman to General Howard. “No; what is it?” 
asked Howard. “Our Army of Virginia, Lee’s army, has 
surrendered to your General Grant.” Thus the news that 
Sherman waited for came to him. In a few days Johnston 
surrendered his army to General Sherman, and the war 
between the states was over. 



Surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court House 


437. What the War had Cost. — Of those who entered the 
Union armies, three hundred and sixty thousand lost their 
lives. Two-thirds as many died in the Confederate armies. 
The nation, from Maine to Texas, was full of men maimed 
and crippled from wounds or disease, for several times as 
many were wounded as were killed. Almost every home in 
the land was a house of mourning. The South had spent 
all it had and all it could borrow. Its money, its credit, 
and its property were all gone. The hand of war had de- 















THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES “ 329 

stroyed its homes, for they had been ravaged by the march 
and the battles of contending armies. The loss of property, 
including the slaves, was more than eight thousand millions 
of dollars. Each year of the war had cost the nation a sum 
greater than had been spent by it in all the years from the 
time of Washington to that of Lincoln. 

438 . What the War Did. — The war settled the slavery 
question forever, for it brought about the Thirteenth Amend¬ 
ment to the Constitution, forbidding human bondage. It 
opened up the South to the influence of the white marts industry. 
Under free labor, the southern part of our country has made 
wonderful advance in prosperity, and has gained vastly more 
than it lost. It made the United States truly a nation and 
finished the work of the men who made the Constitution; 
for since the war it has been known by all men, that no 
state can' leave the Union. 


SUMMARY 

1. The Civil War begins with the bombarding of Fort Sumter. 

2. President Lincoln calls for volunteers. 

3. The Southern ports are blockaded. 

4. The Union forces defeated at Bull Run. 

5. General McClellan is given command of the Union armies. 

6. Capture of Mason and Slidell. 

7. Forts Donelson and Henry are taken. 

8. Battle of Shiloh and capture of Corinth. 

9. The fight between the Monitor and Virginia. 

10. Capture of New Orleans. 

11. Suffering in the South. 

12. McClellan attempts to capture Richmond. 

13. Second Battle of Bull Run. Defeat of the Union forces. 

14. Confederate invasion of Maryland. Battle of Antietam. 

15. Union forces defeated at Fredericksburg and at Chancellorsville. 

16. Emancipation Proclamation. 

17. The Alabama. 

18. Draft Riots in New York City. 


330 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


19. The Battle of Gettysburg. 

20. The capture of Vicksburg. Control of the Mississippi River. 

21. Capture of Chattanooga. 

22. Battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Retreat of the 

Confederates. 

23. General Grant placed in full command. 

24. Grant against Lee in Virginia, and Sherman against Johnston in the 

South. 

25. Sherman takes Atlanta and “marches to the sea.” 

26. Lincoln is re-elected President. 

27. Lee abandons Richmond and surrenders to Grant at Appomattox 

Court House, Va. 

28. General Johnston surrenders his army to Sherman at Raleigh, N. C. 

29. The end of the war. Results of the war. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. What caused the War between the States? 

2. Where was the first fighting of the war? 

3. What was the effect in the North of the bombardment and capture of 

Fort Sumter? 

4. How was the blockade very harmful to the South? 

5. When and where did the first Battle of Bull Run occur? Who were the 

opposing generals? Which side was victorious? 

6. Who was first Commander-in-Chief of the Union forces? Who after 

him? 

7. Who were Mason and Slidell? Where and on what errand were they 

sent? 

8. Where were Forts Donelson and Henry? Why was their location im¬ 

portant? By whom were they captured? 

9. How came the Battle of Shiloh to be fought? Results of Union vic¬ 

tory at Shiloh? Where was Corinth? Why was its capture 
important? 

10. What famous sea-fight took place in Hampton Roads? With what 

results? 

11. What important Southern port was taken in 1862? 

12. Give an account of General McClellan’s movements against Richmond, 

June, 1862. Were they successful? 

13. Who had command of the Union forces at the second Battle of Bull 

Run? What was the result of this fight? 

14. What movement to the north was made by General Lee? What battle 

did he fight? With what result? 


THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES 


33i 


15. Where was General Burnside defeated? Who succeeded General 

Burnside? 

16. What was the Emancipation Proclamation? When was it issued? 

17. For what purpose was the cruiser Alabama built? What became of 

her? 

18. Give an account of the Draft Riots? 

19. What was the decisive battle of the war? Give an account of it. 

20. What important Union victory was won in the South at about the 

same time? 

21. Where was Chattanooga? Chickamauga? Lookout Mountain? Mis¬ 

sionary Ridge? 

22. Who was placed in command of the Union armies in 1864? 

23. What was Grant’s plan of campaign? 

24. What was Sherman ordered to do? What cities did he take? 

25. Give an account of Grant’s movements. 

26. When did Lee abandon Richmond? When did he surrender? Where? 

27. To whom did Johnston surrender? Where? 

28. What questions did the W T ar between the States settle forever? 








CHAPTER XVII 

RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 



439 . The Death of Lincoln. — In the hour of victory the 
great heart of the President was filled with pity for the South. 
At a cabinet meeting, April 14, which proved to be his last, 

Mr. Lincoln said, “I hope there 
will be no persecution, no bloody 
work, after the war is over. No 
one need expect me to take any 
part in hanging or killing these 
men, even the worst of them. 
Enough lives have been sacri¬ 
ficed.” 

That night he was murdered 
by John Wilkes Booth, an actor, 
who in his senseless rage at the 
defeat of the Confederate cause 
killed the tender-hearted Lincoln, 
and thus robbed the South, in 
its time of need, of its best and most powerful friend. Two 
other Presidents have lost their lives at the hands of assassins: 
President Garfield (1881) and President McKinley (1901). 

440 . President Johnson. — In this most critical time the 
nation was without a President. For this reason haste was 
shown, and, three hours after Lincoln’s death, the Vice-Presi¬ 
dent, Andrew Johnson, took the oath of office as President 
of the United States. 

Now that the Confederacy was crushed, the states that had 


Andrew Johnson 



RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 333 

tried to leave the Union were without governments. To 
restore them to their proper places and to good government, 
was a very hard thing to do. Lincoln could have done the 
work better than any other man. President Johnson sought 
to restore the states at once to the Union. He intended to 
do it by himself, as being independent of Congress. 

441. Pardons for Southern Soldiers. — Late in May, 
President Johnson issued a “Proclamation of Amnesty and 
Pardon” to all persons —• except a few — who had fought for 
the South, on their taking the oath of loyalty to the Con¬ 
stitution. Those who were excepted were invited to apply 
for special pardon. Never, in all history, had a people 
defeated in war been given such generous treatment. Johnson 
seemed to be doing as President Lincoln would have done, 
had he lived. Many of those excepted asked for pardon; 
and none were refused. 

During the summer several of the southern states set up 
state governments, which repealed the acts by which they 
had seceded. Each legislature voted that the Confederate 
war debt should not be paid, and each state ratified the 
Thirteenth Amendment prohibiting slavery. Then the Presi¬ 
dent told them that they were states in the Union again, as 
they were before they seceded. The states elected Senators 
and Representatives to the National Congress under President 
Johnson’s policy; but when Congress met in the fall, these 
men were not admitted. Congress said that the President 
had no right to give the seceded states such standing in the 
Union as he had assumed to give them. 

442. The Condition of the Freedmen. — It was a bitter 
thing to the people of the South that the cause of slavery, for 
which they had fought so desperately, was lost. This feeling 
was increased by the lawless behavior of many of the freed- 


334 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


men. Although the negroes were now free, they were also 
ignorant and unfit to govern themselves. There were many 
white rascals, or “scalawags,” as they were called in the South, 
who played upon the ignorance, fear, and vanity of the black 
man. The “scalawags” aroused race hatred between the 
white and black people and did much to lead the ignorant 
negro into crime and violence. During “scalawag” rule 
in the Southern states there was a period of great danger 
both to life and property. 

443. The President’s Policy. — President Johnson, now 
the friend of the South, soon became its champion. He was 
as fully under the influence of the South as any Democratic 
President ever had been. He had forsaken the Republican 
party that elected him, as completely as Tyler had years 
before forsaken the Whig party that elected him. Paying 
no attention to the counsels of those who had put down the 
rebellion, he went ahead by himself to grant favors to the 
South, under what he called “ My policy.” 

444. The Civil Rights Bill. — In 1 866 Congress passed a 
law called the Civil Rights Bill. Its purpose was to protect 
the negroes from abuse in the South, and to give them the 
rights of white men under the United States law. By this 
bill the negroes or freedmen were declared to be citizens of 
the United States, having the same rights as white citizens, 
in every state and territory. 

445. The Fourteenth Amendment. — In 1866, to prevent 

a possible repeal of the Civil Rights Bill, Congress proposed 
the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which made 
the negroes citizens. It also provided that the national debt 
should be paid; but that no debt incurred by the Confed¬ 
eracy should be paid. It also prohibited certain persons in 
the states that had seceded from holding office. 


RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 335 

Other laws concerning the building up of the Union were 
passed by Congress. The President, seeming to resent the 
course of Congress in not leaving all such matters to him, 
vetoed almost every such law. But the laws were passed 
over his veto. 

In 1866, Tennessee came into the Union, after ratifying 
the Fourteenth Amendment. The other seceded states 
would not ratify and were not then admitted. 

446. The Ku-Klux Klan. — A secret society, called the 
Klu-Klux Klan, had sprung up in Tennessee, the purpose of 
which was to prevent rule and voting by negroes who were 
under the control of designing rascals from the North, called 
“Carpet-baggers.” To effect this the members of the Klan 
made it their business to spread terror among the negroes so 
that they could control them. They rode at night in armed 
bands, hideously disguised, and dragged negroes from their 
beds and flogged them. They murdered many of them, and 
also some white men. 

In 1871 Congress passed a law known as the Enforcement 
Act, under which the President might use the military force, 
and take other strong measures to secure peace and order. 
Under this law the Ku-Klux Klan was broken up, and better 
conditions in the South prevailed. 

447. Military Government.—Congress passed a law, in 
1867, over the President’s veto, which divided the South into 
five districts, each of which was placed under military govern¬ 
ment. This law was known as the Military Reconstruction 
Law. It was passed because there were no legal governments 
in the Southern states, and in order that peace and good 
order might be enforced. The carrying out of this and some 
later laws checked the Ku-Klux outrages somewhat, but they 
did not end for some years. 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


336 

In 1868 all the states but Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas 
had formed their governments, and ratified the Fourteenth 
Amendment, and their Senators and Representatives were 
in Congress. In 1870, the last state had taken the required 
course; and all the late Confederate states were in good 
standing as states of the Union, and were represented in 
Congress in 1871. 

448. Enmity Between Congress and the President. — 

The President insisted on defying Congress, while Congress 
in many ways checked the President. In 1867 it was feared 
that the President intended to strengthen his power by 
removing officials and appointing to their places men friendly 
to him and his policy. To prevent this, Congress passed a 
law under which the President could not remove any of the 
higher officials without the consent of the Senate. It was 
called the Tenure of Office Law. 

In defiance of Congress and of the law it had passed, Presi¬ 
dent Johnson removed the secretary of war, and appointed 
another man to the place. The new man remained until 
Congress met and refused to confirm the President’s appoint¬ 
ment. Then the former secretary of war returned to the 
office. At this the President ordered his man to hold the 
office. For thus trying to override an Act of Congress, the 
President was charged with committing a crime and was tried 
by the Senate, sitting as a court. He was found not guilty 
by a very close vote, one vote saving him from impeachment. 

449. Mexico. — When the war commenced, and the 
power of the United States to uphold the Monroe Doctrine 
seemed to be gone, the Emperor of France thought it a good 
time to start a monarchy in North America. He quarreled 
with Mexico, and sent troops there. Later he sent more 
until he had about sixty thousand French troops in Mexico. 


The Capitol at Washington 



























AMERICAN HISTORY 


338 

The Mexican government was overthrown, and a brother of 
the Emperor of Austria was made Emperor of Mexico. Franee 
was warned by the United States that no monarchy would 
be allowed in Mexico; but the warnings were not heeded. 
In 1867 a very pointed request from the United States that 

French troops be withdrawn 
from Mexico was heeded, 
and the troops went back 
to France. After that the 
Mexicans overthrew the 
Emperor Maximilian, and 
he was put to death. Mex¬ 
ico is still a republic. 

In 1867 Nebraska was 
admitted as a State of the 
Union. In the same year, 
Russian America was 
bought by the United 
States. Its name was 
changed to Alaska. 

450. President Grant. — As the end of the presidential 
term drew near, the Republicans named for President, General 
Grant; while the Democrats named Horatio Seymour of 
New York, a man- who had been governor of that state. 
Grant was elected. 

451. The Fifteenth Amendment. — A few days before 
Grant took office, Congress proposed the Fifteenth Amend¬ 
ment to the Constitution. The Amendment is a short one, 
giving to the negroes lately in slavery the right to vote. It 
was more than a year before the Amendment was ratified 
and became a part of the Constitution. 

Thus the Thirteenth Amendment gave the slave freedom 



Ulysses S. Grant 




RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 339 

(1865), the Fourteenth gave him the rights of a citizen (1868), 
and the Fifteenth (1870) protected him as a voter. The three 
Amendments settled forever the slavery question. They 
stand as showing the results of the war. Since the close of 
the war the New South ’ has built up manufactures in many 



Completion or the Pacific Railroad 

Meeting of the locomotives of the Union and of the Central Pacific 

Railroads. From a photograph 


of its leading cities. A most important change for the better 
has been made by the chance given to the negroes to learn 
trades and improved methods of crop-raising. 

452. The Pacific Railroad. — In 1863 a railroad was begun 
from the Missouri River to the Pacific coast, railroads having 
already been built from the Atlantic coast to the great river. 
In 1869 the Pacific road was completed so that a train could 










340 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


cross the continent. A train ran from New York to San 
Francisco. Since then several other lines to the Pacific 
have been built. These roads and their branches have brought 
into use millions of acres of good land that was worthless until, 
by these roads, crops could be sent to market. This land, 

much of it in regions of 
little rainfall, has been 
made fertile by irriga¬ 
tion. In this way, water 
is carried in ditches for 
great distances over 
land upon which crops 
could not otherwise be 
raised. 

In certain parts of the 
West, from Idaho, Da¬ 
kota, and Oregon on the 
North to Texas in the 
South, are large cattle 
and sheep ranches. 
When ready for the mar¬ 
ket, the animals are 
driven to stations on 
one of the great rail¬ 
roads and thence shipped to Chicago and other large cities of 
the West. They are there slaughtered and the meat sent to 
other parts of the country. 

So great a country as the United States could hardly be 
held together, as one nation, were it not that railroads make 
traffic easy between its distant parts. Before the building 
of the Pacific railroads, it took one hundred and ten days to 
go from Omaha to San Francisco. These railroads have 



Irrigation Centers oe the West 












RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 341 

opened to settlement the vast stretches of the West and have 
been the cause of the growth of large cities in one of the 
most important sections of our country. 

453. The “Alabama” Claims. — The nation was fast 
recovering from the war; the fighting was over, and the 
settlements that followed the war were finished. Now there 
was a chance to take up and settle some things that had not 
yet been attended to. One of these was the matter of the 
war-vessels allowed by England during the war to go to sea 
from her ports in order to destroy our merchant vessels. The 
United States held England to account for the damage that 
those vessels had done, and made claims for payment. These 
claims were known as the Alabama claims because they were 
based on damages inflicted by that vessel. 

In 1870 President Grant took the matter in hand. He 
made no appeal to England, but in his message to Congress 
he proposed that our government determine the claims which 
our citizens had against England, and pay them. Then the 
claimant against England would be the Government of the 
United States. He said that notice of this action should be 
sent to the English government. 

The President’s course showed England that our govern¬ 
ment was in earnest. War was raging in Europe between 
Germany and France, and England might be drawn into 
the contest. She saw that she must settle the claims of the 
United States, and agree that there should be no more sending 
out of such ships as the Alabama , by either nation against 
the other. She saw that if she did not settle these claims, 
she might suffer in some future war by having our nation 
treat her as she had treated us. The prospect of having her 
commerce swept from the sea by American-built Alabamas, 
whenever she might be at war with any other nation, was not 


342 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


a pleasant one; and England settled the account. She paid 
many millions of dollars, and a treaty was made which put 
a stop forever to the building by either nation of ships as 
the Alabama to prey upon the merchant vessels of the other. 

454. The Amnesty Act; Election; Panic. — In 1872 Con¬ 
gress passed the Amnesty Act, which gave to all Southern 
soldiers, except about three hundred of the leaders, their 
political rights. 

In 1872 General Grant was elected for a second term as 
President. He was opposed by Horace Greeley, a Republi¬ 
can editor of New York, who was named for the office by the 
Democratic party, and also by a wing of the Republican 
party called the Liberal Republicans. During the following 
year, a great business panic swept the country. 

455. Resumption of Specie Payment; Colorado Admitted. 
— From the early days of the war, coins of silver and gold 
had been out of circulation. For money, bills were used, 
ranging from five cents upward. The premium on gold and 
silver money, that is the value of coin above that of paper 
money, had steadily grown less, but was still considerable in 
1875. At this time Congress passed a law, to take effect in 
1879, that the government should resume payments in coin. 
It was believed that with the certainty of such payments at 
a set time, the difference in value between paper money and 
coin would gradually disappear. As had been expected, the 
difference in the purchasing power of greenbacks and gold 
lessened as 1879 drew near; and when the appointed day came, 
the difference disappeared and paper currency and coin had 
the same value. Since that time, the government and the 
banks, when paying money, have given people their choice 
between paper bills and gold. 

In 1876 Colorado came into the Union as a state. 


RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 343 


456. A Disputed Presidential Election. — In 1876 the 
Republicans named for President, Rutherford B. Hayes, who 
had been a general in the Union Army. The Democrats 
nominated Samuel J. Tilden of New York. 

The election was very close, 
and the result was for a time 
in doubt. The Democrats had 
expected to carry all the south¬ 
ern states, and they claimed 
that they had done so in this 
case. The Republicans claimed 
to have carried South Carolina, 

Florida, and Louisiana. It was 
finally decided that General J§§jj 
Hayes had been elected to the 
Presidency. 

457. Paying the War Debt. 

— So prosperous had the nation become that it began pay¬ 
ing the national debt as soon as the war ended. By the 
beginning of 1879, four hundred million dollars had been 
paid. No other nation had ever paid its public debts so 
rapidly. 



458. Chinese Immigration. -— The rapid growth of popu¬ 
lation in California, under the influence of the Pacific railroad, 
and the many chances for wealth which that state offered, 
created a great need for laborers. Labor was very cheap in 
China, and soon Chinese laborers began to cross the ocean 
in great numbers to work in California. They were paid 
very low wages, and yet received several times as much 
as they earned in their own country. Their coming was 
encouraged by those who employed labor. 

They came under a treaty between China and the United 





344 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


States, which provided that the citizens of either country 
might visit the other country, but could not become citizens. 
These coolies, as they were called, worked at wages much 
lower than Americans could live upon. The presence in 
California of many thousands of coolies and the likelihood that 
many more would come were harmful to the state. The 
matter of the shutting out of Chinese laborers became a ques¬ 
tion of importance during the term of President Hayes. 



James A. Garfield 



Chester A. Arthur 


459. Election of Garfield. — In 1880 James A. Garfield, 

who had been a general in the Union Army, was elected by 
the Republican party to the Presidency. General Hancock, 
another famous Union soldier, was named by the Democrats. 
Both parties showed by their platform that they opposed 
Chinese immigration. During Garfield's term a treaty was 
made with China, under which the coming of Chinese laborers 
to this country was very much lessened. 

460. Death of Garfield. — President Garfield was opposed 
to the theory that had prevailed since the time of President 
Jackson, that to the victors in a political contest belong the 








RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 345 

spoils of office. He was beset by politicans to appoint their 
friends to office. In many cases he refused to comply with 
their wishes. The two Senators from New York asked that 
a certain man be given an important national office, and the 
President refused to appoint him. Then both Senators 
resigned. The many disputes about appointments to office 
crazed an office-seeker, who had failed to get the place he 
desired, and he shot the President, at Washington, July 2, 
1881. President Garfield lived until September 19, following. 

461. President Arthur. — The death of the President made 
the Vice-President, Chester A. Arthur of New York, Presi¬ 
dent of the United States. The death of Garfield drew 
public attention to the evils of office-scrambling that fol¬ 
lowed each election, and led to the passage, in 1883, of an 
Act of Congress called the Civil Service Act. Under this 
Act those appointed to certain offices must have first passed 
an examination as to their fitness. It also protects good 
men in office from being discharged, and from being made 
to pay money for party purposes. 

462. The New Navy. — When the war ended the United 
States possessed the most powerful navy in the world. In 
1883, however, the war-ships of the nation had so far decayed, 
or were so much exceeded in power by the ships built later 
by other nations, that it was thought wise to begin the build¬ 
ing of new vessels of a better type. From that beginning has 
grown the great American Navy of to-day. 

463. The Brooklyn Bridge. — In 1883, after sixteen years 
of building, the Brooklyn bridge, the greatest structure of its 
kind then known, was finished. It was thought to be ample 
for traffic between New York and Brooklyn. But several 
other bridges, besides some tunnels under the river, are now 
in use, and all are taxed to their full capacity. 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


346 



464. President Cleveland. — In 1884 the Democrats of 
the country elected their candidate; and Grover Cleveland 
of New York became President, the first Democrat to hold 
that office since the days of Buchanan. 

In 1885 a law was passed for¬ 
bidding the making of contracts 
under which people of other coun¬ 
tries might be brought to the United 
States to work. 

465. The Tariff. — The high 
tariff, which had been in force for 
many years, had yielded so much 
money to the government that all 
of the national debt that was due 
had been paid, and there was a 
surplus in the treasury. It could 
not be used to pay more of the 
debt because the creditors of the government, drawing in¬ 
terest on what the government owed them, would not take 
the cash for the bonds they held. Many people thought 
that the surplus should be used in works of a national char¬ 
acter, especially for education in the South. The Demo¬ 
cratic party favored reducing the tariff so that there would 
be less money coming to the government. As Cleveland’s 
term drew near its end, the tariff became a great question, 
and on it turned the election of 1888. 

466. President Harrison. — The Democrats named Grover 
Cleveland for a second term, while the Republicans nomi¬ 
nated Benjamin Harrison of Indiana, grandson of former 
President Harrison. Harrison was elected. 

Early in Harrison’s term, a tariff bill prepared by William 
McKinley of Ohio was passed and became a law. 


Grover Cleveland 



RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 347 

467. Oklahoma. — In 1889 the government bought from 
the Indians a large part of their land in Indian Territory, 
which they called Oklahoma, and opened it for settlement 
under the homestead law. Multitudes of people rushed to 
Oklahoma and took up land. So 
great has been the growth of 
population there that Oklahoma, 
including all of the former Indian 
Territory, is now a state, ad¬ 
mitted in 1907. 

468. American Republics. — 

During the same year a meeting 
of representatives of the Ameri¬ 
can republics of Mexico, Central 
America, and South America was 
held. Arrangements were made 
whereby disputes between those Benjamin Harrison 

nations could be settled without war. 

469. New States. — In 1889 North Dakota, South Da¬ 
kota, Montana, and Washington were admitted to the Union 
as States. In 1890 Idaho was admitted. Its constitution 
gave to women the right to vote and hold office. Since then, 
Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Washington, California, Oregon, 
Kansas, and Arizona have given the same rights to women. 

470. The People’s Party. — During Harrison’s term the 
farmers in all parts of the country formed a political party 
called the People’s party. The new party demanded that 
Congress pass a bill for the free coinage of silver, at the ratio 
of 16 of silver to 1 of gold by weight; that is, that a silver 
dollar should weigh just 16 times as much as a gold dollar. 
This would enable the mine owners, and others having silver, 
to get it coined by the government without expense. The 









348 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


bill failed, but in its stead one was enacted which directed that 
the secretary of the treasury should purchase publicly, each 
month, four and a half million ounces of silver at the market 
price, and coin a large part of it into dollars. It was assumed 
by some that this monthly purchase of silver by the govern¬ 
ment would advance the price of the metal; but it had no 
such effect. Silver still declined in value, until at length a 
silver dollar came to be worth less than half as much as a gold 
one, reckoned by the market value of the metal in each. 

471. Cleveland Reelected. — In 1892 the Republicans 
named Harrison for a second term as President. The People’s 
party had a candidate, and the Democrats nominated Cleve¬ 
land, who was elected. The election gave complete control 
of the Presidency, Senate, and House of Representatives to 
the Democratic party. 

472. The Panic. — The folly of the silver law showed its 
effects fully in 1893. Foreign holders of national bonds, 
fearful that the government would seek to pay them in silver 
dollars, worth only sixty-seven cents each, began to sell them. 
They sold them at low prices, fearing that if they waited they 
would get less. People who had government notes, fearful 
that they would have to take cheap silver dollars in payment, 
rushed to get them paid. This took the gold that the govern¬ 
ment had, and it began to look as though the nation would 
soon have nothing but its tons of silver dollars with which 
to pay. There came a terrible panic, and times were hard. 
At length the silver law was repealed. But hard times lasted 
through Cleveland’s term and a part of that of his successor. 

473. The Tariff. — The Democrats now passed a tariff 
bill known as the Wilson Bill. Under the new tariff the 
receipts of the government fell off. Up to this time, ever 
since the war, there had been a rapid payment of the national 


RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 349 

debt. The debt now began to grow, and it did not stop 
until it had increased two hundred and fifty million dollars. 

474. The Monroe Doctrine. — The United States will not 
allow territory to be gained in America by any monarchy in 
Europe. That is the Monroe Doctrine. In 1895 Great 
Britain had a dispute with Venezuela over the boundary line 
between that country and some British territory which ad¬ 
joined it. Weak Venezuela proposed that the question of 
the boundary be decided by outside parties. The United 
States urged that the matter be settled as Venezuela desired. 
It soon appeared that if Great 
Britain attempted to seize Vene¬ 
zuelan territory there was likely 
to be a war between that nation 
and our own. But wisdom pre¬ 
vailed, and the matter of the 
boundary line was settled, and 
the affair ended pleasantly. 

This settlement stands as a 
notable example of the modern 
method of settling national dif¬ 
ferences. I.t shows that nations, 
as well as men, may come to 
agreement by ways of peace. 

475. President McKinley. — 

In 1896 both the Democratic party and the People’s party 
named Wm. J. Bryan of Nebraska for President. The main 
demand of both was for free coinage of silver on the basis of 
fifty or sixty cents worth of silver being made into a coin by 
the government, for any citizen who might bring it to the mint. 
The coin was to be called a dollar and to pass as such. 

The Republican party nominated William McKinley of 








350 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Ohio, author of the McKinley Tariff Law, who was opposed 
to the free coinage of silver. Mr. McKinley was elected. 

In 1896 Utah became a state of the Union. 

In 1897 the Dingley Tariff Bill was passed, so framed as 
to make the tariff yield enough money to pay the running 
expenses of the government. 

In 1898 the Hawaiian Islands, in the far Pacific, were 
annexed to the United States. 



U. S. Battleship “ Maine ” 


476. The War with Spain.—The people of Cuba had for 
some time been in rebellion against Spain, which for centuries 
had held the island as a province. The war was waged sav¬ 
agely by both Cubans and Spaniards. Naturally the people 
of the United States felt well disposed toward the native 
Cubans, and this made Spain feel sullenly angry with us. 

Early in 1898 an American naval vessel, the Maine , was 
sent to Havana, so that there might be a refuge there for 
such Americans as might have to flee from mob violence. 
The visit of the ship was a friendly one. While she lay in the 
harbor, the Maine was blown up by an explosion of dyna¬ 
mite and was destroyed, with nearly all her crew. 













RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 351 

It was believed by the American people that this deed was 
done by the Spanish officers, and there was a strong feeling 
against Spain. In April Congress passed an Act directing 
the President to compel Spain to give Cuba her independence. 
Spain refused to receive the notice sent by the United States, 
and Congress declared war, April 19, 1898. 

The natives in the Philippine Islands, subject to Spain, were 
at this time in rebellion; so that Spain while engaged in put¬ 
ting down one rebellion in Cuba, and another on the other 
side of the globe, was now facing war with the United States. 

At once the Cuban ports were blockaded by our naval 
vessels, and Commodore Dewey, commanding our naval 
squadron in the far Pacific, was ordered to attack the Spanish 
fleet at Manila, the chief port of the Philippine Islands. 

Dewey went to Manila and destroyed the Spanish fleet. 
The victory gave to the United States control of the Spanish 
possessions in the Pacific Ocean, and made our nation a 
power in the Eastern Hemisphere. Troops were sent to hold 
the islands. 

Spain sent a large part of her home naval fleet to Cuba, to 
be in a position to attack the American war-ships or American 
seacoast cities, as chance might decide. The vessels entered 
the harbor of Santiago, Cuba. 

As soon as it was known where Spain’s war-ships were, 
the United States naval squadron stood guard over the harbor, 
so that they could not come out without a battle. Shutting 
up the Spanish fleet made the seaport cities of our country 
safe, and also enabled transport ships to carry soldiers and 
supplies to Cuba in safety. 

The American army that had reached Cuba soon drove 
the Spanish forces into Santiago and threatened to attack the 
ships in the harbor with land batteries. Knowing that 


35 2 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


the ships would be destroyed if they stayed in port, the 
Spanish made a desperate attempt to escape by running their 
vessels through the fleet which was watching for them outside. 
The attempt failed; and, in a three hours’ fight, the Spanish 
war-ships were all destroyed. 

With her two best naval squadrons lost, Spain saw no chance 
to succeed by further fighting; so she gave up Santiago and 
asked for peace. 

477. The Treaty of Peace. — The treaty of peace was 
signed in December, 1898. The war had lasted about four 
months, and the Americans had lost about four hundred men. 
No American war-ship had been seriously damaged. 

By the treaty Cuba became a free country independent 
of Spain, to govern herself under the protection of the United 
States. Porto Rico, an island of the West Indies, Guam, one 
of the Ladrone Islands, and the Philippines, all came to the 
United States. Thus Spain, leader in exploring the western 
world, and at one time having more land than all other na¬ 
tions, parted with her last western holdings, and with them 
the Philippines in the Eastern Hemisphere, which she had 
held ever since Magellan’s voyage. Little did men of Wash¬ 
ington’s time foresee that our country was yet to extend west¬ 
ward, first to the Rocky Mountains; then to the Pacific; 
then to the far side of that greatest of oceans, even to Asia. 

478. American Troops in China. — In 1900 a rebellion 
broke out in China, and many people from Japan, Europe, 
and the United States were murdered. Others were in danger, 
and troops were sent from Great Britain, Japan, Germany, 
France, Italy, and the United States to protect them. The 
invasion was successful after some fighting. 

In the settlement, each of the invading nations, except the 
United States, proposed to take territory from China. The 


I 


RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 353 

United States insisted on fair play, and would not take land 
from the unfortunate nation. The stand that our nation 
took resulted in an arrangement under which China kept her 
territory and all the nations were allowed to trade in China. 

479. Second Election of Mc¬ 
Kinley. — In 1900 McKinley 
was elected President for a 
second term. Theodore Roose¬ 
velt of New York was elected 
Vice-President. 

During the year the Hawaiian 
Islands were given territorial 
government. In the Philip¬ 
pines -there was trouble with the 
natives, who fought for indepen¬ 
dence against the United States, 
as they had done against Spain. 

In 1901 the Cubans formed a 
government modeled on that of 
the United States. It provided 
for control by the United States, in the future, should such 
control be necessary. 

In the Philippines, the rebel leader, Aguinaldo, was cap¬ 
tured. Learning of the good intentions of the United States, 
he advised his followers to cease fighting and place themselves 
under the American government. This ended the war in 
the Islands, except such fighting as has been carried on since 
by native bandits and outlaws. 

480. Death of President McKinley. — In September, 1901, 
President McKinley was murdered. The wretch who com¬ 
mitted the deed was a low-bred, ignorant young man, a son 
of Polish immigrants who came to America to find freedom. 



Copyright, Pach Bros. 
Theodore Roosevelt 





354 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


The murderer was arrested at once, and after a trial was 
put to death. Vice-President Theodore Roosevelt was sworn 
in as President immediately after the death of McKinley, and 
at once began his duties. 

481. Cuba as a Nation. — In 1902 the American flag was 
withdrawn from Cuba, and that Republic took its place among 
the nations. Its first President was Tomas E. Palma. 

482. The Alaskan Boundary Line. — The boundary line 
between Russian America and the English possessions in 
North America was established in 1825. The line was not 
very closely defined, because, in that frozen region, land was 
thought to have so little value that it would not pay to take 
great pains in dividing it. 

But after Russian America was bought by the United 
States and was named Alaska, the Americans found that, in 
the Yukon and Klondike regions, gold was plentiful. Some 
of the gold-bearing land was very near the line that divides 
Alaska from Canada. It was now desired by both govern¬ 
ments that the line be laid out very carefully, to show which 
nation owned the gold-fields. The matter was referred to a 
commission of six men, and in 1903 they gave their decision. 
It mainly favored the claims of the United States. 

483. The Panama Canal. — The war with Spain, and its 
results, made it plain that the United States needed a canal 
across the isthmus that connects the two American conti¬ 
nents. Such a canal would give our naval vessels a short cut 
from ocean to ocean in case of war, and would enable our 
ships of commerce to make quick and safe passage at all 
times. The great commerce that we are to have in the 
future with Asia will make the isthmus-canal the most 
important water-way in the world. The United States is 
building the canal and is to control and defend it, though 


RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 355 


it is to be open to the ships of all nations. The work is going 
on very rapidly, and will be completed in 1915. 

484. The Election of Roosevelt. — In 1904 Theodore 
Roosevelt was elected President. An important question 
during Roosevelt’s term was 
the checking of the increasing 
power of corporations and trusts 
controlling immense capital. 

War began between Russia 
and Japan in February, 1904. 

In the following year, President 
Roosevelt brought about a 
meeting of commissioners of 
the two nations, at Portsmouth, 

N. H. This meeting resulted 
in a treaty of peace between 
Russia and Japan. 

In 1907-8 it appeared that 
the interests of the United 
States in the Pacific Ocean had 
grown so vast since the Span¬ 
ish War as to make it fitting 
that our nation should be 
represented on that ocean, by 
a powerful fleet. Accordingly 
one of the strongest fleets of 
warships that ever sailed was sent from our Atlantic to our 
Pacific coast, by a voyage around South America. 

485. President Taft. —The year 1908 being a presidential 
year, the Republican National Convention met at Chicago. 
William Howard Taft of Ohio and James S. Sherman of 
New York were the nominees of the party. The Democrats 



Relief Map of the Panama 
Canal 




AMERICAN HISTORY 


356 

held their convention at Denver. William J. Bryan of 
Nebraska and John W. Kern of Indiana were the nominees. 
Taft and Sherman were elected. President Taft had long 
experience in the service of our government. In 1900 he 

was appointed president of the 
United States Philippine Com¬ 
mission. During the following 
year he was made the first 
civil governor of the Philippine 
Islands. In 1908 he was secre¬ 
tary of war in President Roose¬ 
velt’s cabinet. 

486. The Return of the 
American Battleship Fleet. — 

In February, 1909, the Ameri¬ 
can battleship fleet which left 
our shores late in 1907 com¬ 
pleted the circumnavigation of 
the globe. This great armored 
fleet of sixteen battleships carried as crews and officers 
nearly fifteen thousand men. By this voyage our fleet gave 
foreign nations evidence of the strength of the naval power 
of the United States. The trip also proved that the Ameri¬ 
can navy, manned by disciplined crews and skilled officers, 
was able to cruise for great distances with speed and 
certainty. 

It took about fourteen months to complete the voyage, 
and the fleets during that time traveled nearly forty-five 
thousand miles. On the westward journey, the battleships 
steamed along the coast of South America, and passing through 
the Strait of Magellan, reached San Francisco during the 
summer of 1908. The fleet went thence to Manila, visiting 





RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 357 

on its way the Hawaiian Islands and Japan. It returned to 
this country by way of the Suez Canal and the Mediterra¬ 
nean Sea. 

487. The New Census. — A counting or census of the popu¬ 
lation of our country has been made every ten years since 
1790. The enumeration beginning in 1910 is the thirteenth 
census. The new census bill was passed by Congress early 
in 1909. This bill provided for a special test as to the fitness 
of those who would be census takers. Taking the national 



The Westward Movement of the Center of Population 

of the United States 

census makes necessary the employment of many thousands 
of men and the spending of millions of dollars. The work is 
in charge of an officer styled the Director of the Census. 

The thirteenth census showed a population of about ninety- 
two million people. Emigration to our shores from Euro¬ 
pean countries is constantly adding to our population. 
Twelve thousand immigrants arrived here during a single 
day in April, 1909. These people came principally from 
Southern Europe, although all nations of Europe were 
represented. 

488. The Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution. — Con¬ 
gress proposed before the end of the summer session (1909) 










AMERICAN HISTORY 


358 

a new amendment to the Constitution. By January, 1913, 
this amendment had been ratified by the legislatures of three 
fourths of the states. The purpose of the sixteenth amend¬ 
ment is to give to Congress the power to tax incomes. Dur¬ 
ing President Cleveland’s second administration, Congress 
had passed such a law, but it was finally declared uncon¬ 
stitutional by the United States Supreme Court. Hence it 
was necessary to amend the Constitution before such a tax 
could be levied. 

489. The Payne-Aldrich Tariff Bill. — In our country the 

tariff has always been a matter of great importance and a 
leading question between the two prominent political parties. 
A new tariff law, called the Payne-Aldrich Bill, was enacted in 
August, 1909. It raised the rates of duties on some goods 
and lowered them on others. This tariff bill, like all other 
tariff laws, has proved satisfactory to some of the people and 
unsatisfactory to others. 

490. Discovery of the North Pole. — During the first week 
in September, 1909, a dispatch was received from one of the 
Shetland Islands stating that Dr. Frederick A. Cook of 
Brooklyn, N. Y., had discovered the North Pole on April 21, 
1908. A few days later a dispatch was received from Labra¬ 
dor signed by the noted Arctic explorer, Commander Peary 
of the United States Navy. Peary’s dispatch read, “Stars 
and Stripes nailed to the Pole.” Commander Peary reached 
the Pole April 6, 1909. Dr. Cook reached Denmark and was 
received at Copenhagen with great enthusiasm. After a long 
delay his proofs were submitted to the University of Copen¬ 
hagen, and upon examination by that institution were pro¬ 
nounced insufficient. The National Geographical Society of 
America has decided that Commander Peary reached the 
North Pole on the date named. 


RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 359 

491. The Hudson-Fulton Celebration. — During the fall 
of 1909 a monster celebration was held in the vicinity of 
New York City to commemorate the third voyage of Henry 
Hudson (1609), and the discovery by Robert Fulton of the 
application of steam power to the propulsion of boats (1807). 
It was one of the greatest spectacular events in the history of 
our country and attracted world-wide attention. Repro¬ 
ductions of the Half Moon and the Clermont , convoyed by 
the battleships of many nations, joined in the naval parade 
along the Hudson River. There were also numerous land 
parades in which floats represented important historical events 
in our growth as a nation. 

492. Aerial Navigation. — Progress was made during the 
year 1909 in the improvement of aeroplanes. One of these 
machines has traveled a distance of ten miles at a speed rate 
of more than forty miles an hour. Mr. Edison, the great 
inventor, has prophesied that in the very near future, aerial 
navigation will be safe and practicable. 

493. Arizona and New Mexico Admitted to the Union. — 
The only remaining territories within the United States, 
Arizona and New Mexico, were admitted to statehood 
early in the year 1912. The total number of States is 
now forty-eight and two new stars were added to our flag 
July 4, 1912. 

494. Notable Inventions; Achievements of the Last 
Century; Steam as a Motive Power. — The use of steam as 
a power for moving boats was first made in 1807 by Robert 
Fulton, who traveled from New York to Albany in the Cler¬ 
mont. His discovery of the application of steam power to 
the propulsion of boats was one of the most important ever 
made. In 1811 the first steamboat ran on western rivers 
between Pittsburgh and New Orleans. Soon afterward, the 


3 6 ° 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


first steam ferryboat in America was in operation between 
New York and Hoboken, while in 1819, the steamship Savan¬ 
nah crossed the ocean from Savannah to Liverpool in the 
then wonderfully quick time of twenty-six days. As early as 
1837 there were two hundred and fifty steamboats plying up 
and down the Mississippi River and its branches. The 



The “Savannah ” 

The first steamship that crossed the Atlantic 


Cunard Steamship Company was sending its steamers across 
the Atlantic, and one of them surprised the world by making 
the passage in less than thirteen and a half days. The trip 
is now made in about one third of that time. 

495. The Development of Labor-saving Machinery during 
the Last Century. — The cotton-gin was one of the most 
important inventions of the preceding century, but later 
inventors have been busy. 

By 1840, the McCormick reaper was in use. By the 
middle of the century, stockings were knitted by curious 
machines moved by steam power. The click of the steel 
knitting needles in the hands of the busy housewife could 
still be heard, however, in thousands of homes, just as it 
was in colonial times. 




















RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 361 

In 1846 Elias Howe invented a machine to sew cloth. It 
was a wonderful invention. Every garment that is worn in 
the civilized parts of the world is made more cheaply 
because of it. 

Great strides have been made in the applications of elec¬ 
tricity since Morse’s invention of the telegraph, and, in 1876, 
the telephone came into use and electric lighting for the 
illumination of streets and buildings had been placed in 
operation. 

In 1885 the long-distance telephone was perfected and 
cars run by electricity were built. In 1897 the practice of 
telegraphing without wires was begun, and now messages 
may be sent in this manner for great distances. 

Early in the last century carding, spinning, and weaving 
were done by machines run by water-power, though home¬ 
weaving continued to be the method of cloth manufacture 
for many years. In those .days the spinning-wheel and the 
hand-loom were parts of the furniture of nearly all house¬ 
holds. Farmers raised their own wool and flax, and their 
wives made the family clothing from them. Methods of 
manufacturing and agriculture have been greatly improved 
by the invention and perfection of labor-saving machinery. 
The United States is now the greatest manufacturing nation 
in the world and produces more agricultural products than 
any other country. This has been made possible by im¬ 
proved farm and factory machinery. Ploughing, reaping, 
and threshing, once done by hand, at great expense of 
time, are now accomplished by the use of machines adapted 
to such work. 

The old method of printing by hand-presses has been 
superseded by the far more rapid work of huge printing 
presses and type-setting machines. By means of these 


362 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


presses thousands of copies of newspapers may be printed 
and folded in an hour’s time. 

Steam shovels and hoisting-cranes speedily perform the 
work formerly requiring hundreds of laborers. Electricity 
has also worked its marvels in lightening labor and saving 
time. 

496. The Atlantic Cable. — As early as 1851 cables in 
successful operation had been laid under the English Channel 
and also across the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Oceanic communi¬ 
cation by cable was made possible by Morse’s invention of the 
telegraph. 

In 1858 a message was sent across the Atlantic Ocean from 
the Queen of England to the President of the United States, 
by means of a cable which had been laid under the ocean 
between Ireland and Newfoundland. In less than a month, 
however, it was found impossible to transmit messages, and 
no further attempt was made to lay a cable for several years. 
In 1866 a cable was laid from the west coast of Ireland to 
Newfoundland, and one lost in midocean the previous year 
was recovered and connected with the Newfoundland coast. 
With some interruptions of service, we have had cable com¬ 
munication with Europe ever since, there now being many 
trans-Atlantic cables in operation. 

The steamer, The Great Eastern , then the largest vessel 
afloat and specially fitted for the purpose, laid the first cables 
(1865-1866) which were in interrupted use for a number 
of years. We owe the successful completion of the Atlantic 
cable to the enterprise and energy of Cyrus W. Field, who 
organized construction companies, raised money, and gave 
his best energies for many years to the vast enterprise which 
he brought to a successful conclusion. 

By means of the trans-Atlantic cables business between 


RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 363 

this country and Europe is transacted in a few hours, while 
foreign news is soon known and published in our daily news¬ 
papers. 

497. The Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution. — 

Congress in 1911 proposed another additional amendment 
to the Constitution which provides that United States 
senators are to be chosen by popular vote instead of being 
elected by the various state leg¬ 
islatures. This amendment has 
been ratified by the legislatures 
of three fourths of the states 
and has thus become a law. 

498. The Presidential Elec¬ 
tion of 1912. — In the Presi¬ 
dential campaign of 1912, the 
Republican National Conven¬ 
tion met at Chicago in June. 

After a hard struggle between 
the followers of President Taft 
and Theodore Roosevelt, the 
former was nominated with 
Vice-President Sherman to lead 
the Republican national ticket. 

At the close of the convention about one hundred of the 
delegates with other friends of Colonel Roosevelt formed 
the Progressive party and named Roosevelt for President. 
Arrangements were then made for holding a formal con¬ 
vention. 

The first national convention of the party assembled at 
Chicago in August. Theodore Roosevelt and Gov. Hiram 
W. Johnson of California were nominated for President and 
Vice-President. 



Copyright, Marceau 

Woodrow Wilson 






AMERICAN HISTORY 


3 6 4 

The delegates of the Democratic National Convention met 
at Baltimore in June, continuing in session until July 3. On 
the forty-sixth ballot Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey was 
nominated for the Presidency. Thomas R. Marshall of 
Indiana was nominated for Vice-President. 

The Socialist and Prohibition parties also presented candi¬ 
dates for the Presidency. 

Vice-President Sherman, who was the candidate of the 
Republican party for reelection, died a few days before the 
election. 

In the election the Democratic party was successful, car¬ 
rying forty-one states for Wilson and Marshall. 

499. Trouble in Mexico. — A revolt against the admin¬ 
istration of President Madero began in a northern province 
of Mexico, during the close of President Taft’s administra¬ 
tion. The situation became so serious that the President 
issued a proclamation warning all Americans in Mexico 
against taking part in the revolution. In February, 1913, 
the revolutionists overthrew the forces of Madero and gained 
control in the City of Mexico. President Madero, refusing 
to resign the presidency, was soon afterward murdered, and 
General Huerta was proclaimed provisional President. Our 
government, fearing that Americans in Mexico might be in 
danger, sent troops to Galveston that they might be ready 
to embark for that country. The followers of Madero in 
turn started a revolution against Huerta, whom our govern¬ 
ment refused to recognize as President. 

In April, 1914, an American naval officer and some sailors 
were thrown into prison at Tampico, where they had gone 
ashore to get a supply of gasoline. Admiral Mayo, in com¬ 
mand of our fleet, demanded an apology from the Mexican 
authorities, and a salute of twenty-one guns for the American 









RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 365 

flag. The same demand was made upon Huerta, who re¬ 
fused to comply. While Congress was debating as to the 
wording of the resolution giving approval to the intention of 
President Wilson to use armed force, he ordered Rear-Admiral 
Fletcher to seize the customhouse at Vera Cruz. This was 
done in order to prevent the landing of war materials from a 
German steamer which was at anchor in the harbor. 

On April 21, 1914, our marines and sailors landed, and 
seized the customhouse and adjacent parts of the city with 
small loss of life. At this time, the ministers of Argentina, 
Brazil, and Chile offered their services to Secretary of State 
Bryan for a settlement of the difficulty. This offer was ac¬ 
cepted by both President Wilson and General Huerta. Our 
President said that no settlement would be agreed to that 
did not provide for the retirement of Huerta and the estab¬ 
lishment of constitutional government in Mexico. The 
peace commission, composed of the three South American 
ministers, three Americans, and three Mexicans met at Ni¬ 
agara Falls. Nothing, however, was effected by these medi¬ 
ators. In the meantime, Huerta and his forces remained in 
Mexico City, while Mexican armies, opposed to him, under 
General Villa and others, were winning victories in the 
northern provinces and pressing toward the capital city, 
which was taken by Carranza on August 16. 

After the retirement of Huerta, Generals Carranza and 
Villa with their armies began to fight each other for control 
of the government. In November, 1914, our troops were 
withdrawn from Vera Cruz, as there seemed then to be no 
further danger to the lives and property of American citizens 
residing in Mexico. 

500. The Underwood Tariff Bill and the Income Tax 
Measure. — Shortly after taking office, President Wilson 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


366 

called an extra session of Congress to consider the reduction 
of the tariff. To provide for any possible loss of revenue 
from lowering the duties on imports, an income tax measure 
was also proposed. The levying of an income tax was 
authorized by the Sixteenth Constitutional Amendment. 
The Income Tax law provides for a tax of one per cent on 
incomes of more than three thousand dollars and for an 
increased tax on incomes of twenty thousand dollars or more. 
The President read his message on the proposed tariff legis¬ 
lation to both Houses of Congress sitting as one body in the 
House of Representatives. This was the first time since the 
administration of President John Adams that a President of 
the United States had appeared before Congress to read a 
message. The President in his address called attention to 
the fact that a new tariff measure was necessary, not so 
much for protecting the industries of our country as to pre¬ 
vent the building up of private monopolies. The Under¬ 
wood bill provides for a large reduction in the tariff, especially 
in food stuffs. 

This measure became a law in October, 1913. That it 
will materially reduce the cost of living has been the subject 
of much dispute. In estimating its possible benefits, it must 
be remembered that the quantity of our imported goods has 
greatly decreased since the beginning of the great war in 
Europe, in August, 1914, and hence the revenue gained from 
imports has necessarily diminished. 

501. Woman Suffrage. — The woman suffrage movement 
is gaining strength throughout the country. In March, 1914, 
the question of submitting to the various state legislatures 
an amendment to the Constitution of the United States al¬ 
lowing woman suffrage throughout the country was defeated 
in Congress. The ground taken by the House of Represen- 


RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 367 


tatives in this matter, and embodied in a resolution, was 
that woman suffrage is a state and not a national question. 

The elections of 1914 in Montana and Nevada gave the 
vote to women. Women may now vote in eleven states and 
in the Territory of Alaska. These eleven states are Utah, 
Wyoming, Washington, Idaho, California, Kansas, Oregon, 
Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Montana. In many other 
states women have partial suffrage, voting only on certain 
questions. In Illinois the Legislature has given women the 
right to vote upon all questions provided for under the state 
constitution. 

502. Mothers’ Day. The Nation’s Tribute to its Mothers. 

— Pursuant to joint resolution of Congress, the President 
issued a proclamation on May 9, 1914, calling upon govern¬ 
ment officials to display the United States flag upon govern¬ 
ment buildings on the second Sunday in May in each year, 
“as a public expression of love and reverence for the mothers 
of our country.” The President also invited the people of 
the United States to display the flag at their homes, or other 
suitable places, on this day. 

503. The Federal Reserve Banking Act. — In September, 
1913, a new currency bill passed the lower house of Congress 
and became law a few months later. It is thought that this 
measure will put an end to business panics and “hard times.” 
The provisions of the new law are to be carried into effect 
by the Federal Reserve board, which consists of the Secre¬ 
tary of the Treasury and others appointed by the President. 
Under its provisions certain banks, called Federal Reserve 
banks, have been established in different parts of the country 
to receive deposits from the various National banks. The 
State banks may also make deposits in the Reserve banks. 
When money is scarce, banks may turn over to the Reserve 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


368 

banks business notes or commercial paper and receive in 
return fifty per cent of its value in money. The payment of 
money thus loaned to National or State banks by the Federal 
Reserve banks is guaranteed by the United States. This 
new banking act also provides that money may be transferred 
from one Reserve bank to another as demand may arise in 
different localities. 

504. The Panama Canal. — The great undertaking of 
digging and opening this canal was made the occasion for a 
celebration held in San Francisco in 1915, at the Panama- 
Pacific Exposition. 

The first vessel to pass through the canal was an old steamer 
rigged with a crane for hoisting purposes. This boat, which 
had been used in former attempts to dig the canal, completed 
the journey under her own steam, from the Atlantic to the 
Pacific, in January, 1914. The canal was not ready for 
general use until August, 1914. 

505. The Panama Canal Tolls. — The Canal Tolls law, 
passed by Congress in 1913, provided that all American 
vessels plying from port to port along our coast might pass 
through the canal free. An American vessel sailing from 
Maine to San Francisco might go through the canal without 
paying toll. On the other hand, a British steamer sailing 
from Halifax to Seattle would be obliged to pay toll. Great 
Britain objected to this law, claiming that it violated the 
terms of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty. 

This treaty, among other things, provides that the canal 
should be open “on terms of entire equality” to the ships 
“of all nations.” Many of our citizens held that the words 
“all nations” meant all foreign nations. Others contended 
that the terms of the treaty were plain and that the Canal 
Tolls law was a clear violation of it. In March, 1914, Presi- 


RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 369 

dent Wilson addressed both Houses of Congress and urged 
the repeal of this law. After many debates Congress re¬ 
pealed the measure in June, 1914. The repeal bill provided 
that it was not to be understood that the United States gave 
up any of its rights under the Hay-Pauncefote treaty. 







Copyright by Keystone View Co. 

Gatun Lake and South End of Locks, Panama Canal 

506. The Immigration Bill.—In February, 1914, the 
House of Representatives passed what is known as the Im¬ 
migration Bill, which provided that all immigrants should be 
able to read and write in some language. This measure was 
favored by many Americans who believe that immigration 












37 o 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


should be restricted in some way and that the imposition of 
a literacy test is as good a method as any other. Others 
think that no literacy test should be required, inasmuch as 
many immigrants who might become desirable citizens are 
unable to read and write. This measure passed the Senate 
early in 1915 by a large vote. The bill also provided, by 
amendments insisted upon by the Senate and concurred in 
by the House, that immigrants of the African or Negro race, 
as well as those who believe in and practice polygamy, should 
be excluded. The bill was vetoed by President Wilson, chiefly 
on account of the literacy test. An attempt by the House 
to pass it over the veto failed by a small margin. President 
Taft had vetoed a similar bill and for the same reason. 1 

507. The Progress of the Prohibition Movement. —- A 
resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives in 
1914, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the 
United States prohibiting the sale, manufacture, or transpor¬ 
tation of intoxicating liquor for drinking purposes in the 
United States and in all territory subject to its jurisdiction. 
The measure failed of passage, as a two-thirds affirmative 
vote is necessary to submit a constitutional amendment to 
the state legislatures. The vote in favor of national prohi¬ 
bition, however, was very large. The prohibition movement 
is growing very rapidly in this country, nineteen states having 
voted against the liquor traffic. A law of Alabama pro¬ 
hibits liquor advertisements, and also provides that periodicals 
containing advertisements of alcoholic liquors shall not be 
allowed to be sent into the state. The use of intoxicating 
liquor has also been forbidden in the United States Navy. 
The movement is also extending in foreign countries, notably 
in Russia and France. 

1 This bill became a law in 1916. 


RECONSTRUCTION; SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 371 


508 . The Presidential Election of 1916 . — In the presi¬ 
dential campaign of 1916 , the delegates of the Republican 
National Convention nominated for President and Vice- 
President Charles E. Hughes and Charles W. Fairbanks. 
The Democratic delegates at their National Convention re¬ 
nominated Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey, for President, 
and Thomas R. Marshall of Indiana, for Vice-President. The 
result of the election was in doubt for several days, but the 
late returns from California and other western states showed 
that the Democratic candidates were elected. 

SUMMARY 

1. The death of Lincoln. 

2. President Johnson; his policy. 

3. The Civil Rights Bill. 

4. The Fourteenth Amendment. 

5. The South under military government. 

6. President Johnson impeached. 

7. France in Mexico. Maximilian. 

8. Nebraska admitted. 

9. Alaska purchased. 

10. General Grant elected President. 

11. The Fifteenth Amendment. 

12. The Pacific Railroad. 

13. The Alabama Claims. 

14. Colorado admitted. 

15. A disputed presidential election. 

16. Chinese immigration. 

17. Election of Garfield; his death 

18. President Arthur. 

19. The new navy. 

20. Grover Cleveland becomes President. 

21. The tariff. 

22. President Harrison elected. 

23. Oklahoma becomes a territory in 1889; a state in 1907. 

24. New states admitted: North and South Dakota, Montana, Washing- 

ton, and Idaho. 

25. Cleveland reelected. New Tariff Bill. 


372 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


26. The Venezuela dispute. 

27. William McKinley becomes President. 

28. Utah admitted (1896). 

29. The Hawaii Islands annexed. 

30. The war with Spain. 

31. The Panama Canal. 

32. Election of President Roosevelt. 

33. President-elect Taft. 

34. The Democratic Convention. 

35. The Inauguration of President Taft. 

36. The return of the American battleship fleet. 

37. The New Census Bill. Growth of our country in population. 

38. The Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution. 

39. The new Tariff Bill. 

40. The Discovery of the North Pole. 

41. The Hudson-Fulton Celebration. 

42. Aerial Navigation. 

43. Admission of the states of Arizona and New Mexico. 

44. Notable inventions and achievements of the last century. 

45. The development of labor-saving machinery during the last century. 

46. The Atlantic Cab’e. 

47. The Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution. 

48. The Presidential Election of 1912. 

49. Trouble in Mexico. 

50. The Underwood Tariff Bill and Income Tax measure. 

51. Woman Suffrage. 

52. The second Sunday in May to be known as Mothers’ Day. 

53. The Federal Reserve Banking Act 

54. The Panama Canal. 

55. The Panama Canal Tolls. 

56. The Immigration Bill. 

57. The Progress of the Prohibition Movement. 

58. The Presidential Election of 1916. 


1. 

2 . 

3 - 

4 - 

5 - 
6 . 

7 - 

8 . 

9 - 

10. 

11. 

12 . 
13 - 
14. 
i 5 - 
16. 
17 - 

18. 

19. 

20. 

21. 

22. 
23 - 
24. 


25- 

26. 


27. 

28. 

29. 

3 °- 

31 - 


QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 373 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

Who succeeded Lincoln as President? 

What was one of Johnson’s first official acts? 

What important laws were passed by Congress during Johnson’s admin¬ 
istration? 

What was the Ku-Klux Klan? What was done to suppress it? 

What Federal law did Johnson override? With what result? 

Who was Maximilian? What did he attempt to do? 

What was the Fifteenth Amendment? 

Why was the Pacific Railroad important? 

How were the Alabama claims settled? 

What was the Enforcement Act? 

Why were Chinese immigrants undesirable? 

Who was elected President in 1880? 

Who succeeded him? 

Who was the first Democratic President since Buchanan’s time? 

Who was elected President in 1888? 

When was Oklahoma admitted as a State? 

Was Cleveland reelected? When? 

When was McKinley first elected? 

Give an account of the war with Spain? 

How will the Panama Canal be useful? 

When did Roosevelt first become President? 

Who was elected President in 1908? 

Who were the nominees of the Democratic party? 

What great voyage was made by our battleships? Flow long did this 
voyage take? Name some of the principal places visited by this 
fleet. 

When was the new Census Bill passed? Who has charge of the taking 
of the census? What is our present estimated population? From 
what countries of Europe do most of our immigrants now come? 
What are the new amendments of the Constitution? What must be 
done by the Legislatures of how many States, in order that these 
proposed amendments may become a part of the Constitution? 
What is the effect of the new Tariff Bill of 1909? 

Tell about the conflicting claims to the discovery of the North Pole. 
Give an account of the Hudson-Fulton celebration. 

What is meant by aerial navigation? 

What were the last two States admitted to the Union? 


374 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


32. Who was elected President in 1912? In 1916? 

33. Name some notable inventions and achievements of the last century. 

34. Give an account of the trouble in Mexico. 

35. What new Tariff Bill has been passed? What is the new Income Tax 

measure? 

36. Tell about the progress of the Woman Suffrage movement. 

37. When did Congress provide for the designation of a day to be known 

as Mothers’ Day? Why was this done? How is this day to be 
celebrated? 

38. What do you know about the Federal Reserve Banking act? 

39. Is the Panama Canal now open for navigation? 

40. Tell about the repeal of the Canal Tolls law. 

41. What was the Immigration bill? On what ground was it vetoed? 

42. Is the Temperance cause making progress in this country? To what 

extent? 


CHAPTER XVIII 


GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY 

509. Territorial Expansion; Population. — From the in¬ 
auguration of President Washington to 1820, the country 
grew much in area and population. The Louisiana Purchase 
comprised twice as much territory as that of the thirteen 
original colonies. The states of Missouri and Louisiana were 
parts of this vast tract. In 1821, the northern part of the 
Louisiana Purchase was called the Missouri Territory, and 
that portion between Missouri and Louisiana was then the 
Arkansas Territory. Between 1791 and 1821, from terri¬ 
tory east of the Mississippi River, seven more states had 
been formed. In 1819, the Territory of Florida had been 
purchased from Spain during President Monroe’s administra¬ 
tion. During the half century after the close of the Revolu¬ 
tionary War, our country had increased in territory nearly 
threefold, while population had increased from four to thir¬ 
teen millions. For years, Philadelphia had been the most 
important city in the United States, and had been for ten 
years (1789-1799) the Federal Capital. By the year 1830, 
New York had become the chief commercial city, while St. 
Louis was a small settlement on the western frontier. In 
i860, the population had increased to more than thirty-one 
million people, who were living in thirty-three states and a 
number of territories. 

At this time, there were more people in the North than in 
any other section. This was because fewer immigrants had 

375 


376 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


settled in the South and West. They had remained in the 
North, where there were more ways of earning a living and 
where they did not compete with slave labor. 

510. The Western Movement. — Before the Central and 
Union Pacific railroads had been completed (1869), travel 
west from the Missouri River was slow and difficult. Pas¬ 
sengers had formerly been carried to California in stage 
coaches, along the old prairie trails. The journey of twenty- 
five days was dangerous because of possible attacks from 
hostile Indians. After the completion of the Pacific Rail¬ 
road, however, the settlement of the West went on more 
rapidly. 



511. The Homestead Law. — Population also increased in 
the West through the operation of the Homestead Law (1862). 

This provided that 160 
acres of government land 
should be given to each 
settler who, within a certain 
time, should build a home 
and cultivate the soil. 
A Sod House Hundreds of families from 

the East and the middle 
West occupied the land thus provided for them by the gov¬ 
ernment. Emigrants from northwestern Europe also took 
land under the provisions of this law. The newcomers, with 
their families, moved into this region, traveling slowly in 
“ prairie schooners.” 


512. Building a Home in the West; the New Farming. — 

When the journey had ended, the work of building a home was 
commenced. If the land was wooded, a log house was built, 
but upon prairie land, sod was used for this purpose. When 
other settlers came, better homes were constructed. Soon 








DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY 


377 


there was a store, then a church and a schoolhouse. A pros¬ 
perous farming community soon had the railway, the tele¬ 
graph line, and the post office. 

When more immigrants came, great tracts of land were 
cultivated and farming was done on a larger scale. As new 
inventions were made, steam plows were used and thousands 
of acres were soon ready for planting. Steam harvesters and 
threshers were used to gather grain. These did the work of 
hundreds of men, in much less time. 

513. Trouble with the Indians. —In 1873, the Modoc 
Indians of southern Oregon attacked and killed settlers. 
General Canby and peace com¬ 
missioners, sent to northern 
California to end the trouble, 
were suddenly attacked dur¬ 
ing a parley. Canby and one 
of the peace commissioners 
were killed. Several Modoc 
leaders were hanged for these 
murders, and the rest of the 
tribe was placed upon reser¬ 
vations in the Indian Terri¬ 
tory. 

In 1876, the Sioux Indians 
of South Dakota, under the 
leadership of their chief medicine man, Sitting Bull, attacked 
settlers in Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming. Troops under 
General George Custer were sent to Montana, where Custer 
and about three hundred of his men, surrounded by a large 
force of Indians, were killed. The Sioux were later defeated, 
Sitting Bull was killed, and peace was restored. This was 
the last important Indian uprising. 



Sitting Bull 





378 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


514. Early Methods of Work. — Formerly, the sawmill 
for cutting logs and the gristmill in which grain was ground 
into flour or meal were first operated either by horse power or 
by water power. Later, the small steam flour mills, built 
upon the banks of country streams, were not large enough 
for the increasing crops of grain. Large mills were therefore 
built in which grain was ground in great quantities and flour 
sent to all parts of the country. When more grain was sent 
to these mills than could be immediately ground, it was stored 
in huge “ elevators ” until it could be made into flour. The 
manufacture of lumber also increased when logs were sawed 
into planks by rotary saws, driven by steam power. The 
work of felling trees and trimming them into logs was per¬ 
formed by lumbermen who spent the winter in the forests for 
that purpose. When the logs were ready, they were hauled 
to a river, whence they were floated, as soon as spring came, 
to the sawmills. 

515. Inventions. — Our foremost American inventor, 
Thomas A. Edison, has given us the phonograph by which 
sound can be reproduced. Similar in principle is the dicta¬ 
phone which reproduces words spoken into a transmitter. 
Letters and other documents are now printed by typewriting 
machines, another most useful invention. 

516. Electricity. — Electricity has now largely taken the 
place of steam in driving machinery. Railroad trains and 
other agencies for transportation are using electricity for 
motive power. We have seen how electricity has made the 
telegraph and telephone possible as means of communication, 
and how for many years it has been used for illuminating pur¬ 
poses. Another invention made possible by the application 
of electricity is the use of the X-ray in surgical practice. Elec¬ 
tricity is transmitted for great distances, after it has been 


DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY 



Railroad Train and Electric Locomotive 

quick method of carrying passengers and freight from place 
to place, and its almost universal use has resulted in the build¬ 
ing and proper maintenance of fine country roads. A journey 
which formerly took a week by horse and carriage can now 
be made in an automobile in one day. Years ago, the old- 
fashioned high bicycle was used for travel. This, after a 
while, was superseded by the low safety wheel, which, when 
equipped with a small gasoline engine, became the motor-cycle. 

Another invention of great importance in naval warfare is 
the submarine, while travel through the air has been effected 
by the airplane. A modification of the latter machine is the 


generated by water power. Niagara Falls furnishes electric 
power to places one hundred fifty miles distant. 

517. Motors. — The discovery that gasoline engines af¬ 
forded motive power was later applied to running carriages 
and wagons. The first crude vehicles were improved until 
the automobile was produced. The automobile affords a 






















3 8° 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


sea-plane, or hydro-aeroplane, which may be propelled in 
the water or through the air. In 1919 sea-planes had crossed 
the Atlantic and an aeroplane made the journey without 
stop from Newfoundland to Ireland. 



A Submarine 


518 . Growth in Manufacturing. — Owing to improved 
methods in manufacturing, mills and factories were built 
throughout the country — especially cotton and woolen mills. 
The spinning of thread and the weaving of cloth by the spin¬ 
ning wheel and the hand loom were very slow processes, and 
the output was small. When the power loom, driven by 
steam, came into use, there was a great increase in this indus¬ 
try. The use of steam for driving machinery made it possible 
to build manufacturing plants in the cities, instead of along 
water courses in the country districts. This increased the 
population of cities and their commercial importance. With 
the improvement in textile industries during the last century 
grew the development in the manufacturing of iron from ore. 
Iron foundries were built in various parts of the country, but 
especially in Pennsylvania, as early as 1803. 

519 . Early Railroads. — Before 1850, railroads had been 
built in the eastern part of the United States. By 1852 
these railroads had been extended as far west as Chicago, and 







DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY 


38i 


five years later to St. Louis. The building of railroads rapidly 
opened communication between the East and the West, and 
in i860 several such roads were in successful operation. Only 
a few railroads had been constructed from North to South, 
and this retarded the development of commercial relations, 
which might sooner have arisen between these two sections. 

520. The Financial Panic of 1873. — In 1869, the Central 
and Union Pacific railroads had been completed and the grow- 
ing population in the extreme Northwest — in Idaho, Wash¬ 
ington, and Oregon — caused the building of the Northern 
Pacific Railroad from Duluth to Puget Sound. In the ten 
years from 1861 to 1871, nearly two billion dollars had been 
spent in railroad construction. The population of the terri¬ 
tory through which these lines passed was insufficient to 
afford enough business to make adequate returns for such 
large investments. When other financial demands were made 
upon the persons and banking institutions investing these 
large amounts in railroad building, they could not be met. 
The failure of one great banking house resulted in a financial 
panic that swept the country. 

521. The Manufacture and Use of Steel. — New processes 
in the manufacture of steel were used about the middle of 
the last century. A new method of changing iron into steel 
was discovered by an Englishman, Henry Bessemer. The 
Bessemer process was introduced into the United States, 
which was soon producing large quantities of steel. This 
greater production of steel was important, as it increased 
railroad construction. Steel is now used on a large scale, in 
building “ skyscrapers,” bridges, naval vessels, and ocean 
steamships. 

522. The New Mining. — The pioneer miners of California 
worked along the banks of streams, to dig up gold-bearing 


3 82 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


soil. To get the gold they washed away the soil with water 
shaken through a sieve. This was called “ placer mining 
and was slow and difficult work. Large mining companies 

were then formed and sluices 
were built through which 
water flowed in washing away 
the earth from the particles 
of gold. Later, shafts were 
sunk and machinery built for 
raising the ore from under¬ 
ground. Crushing and stamp¬ 
ing machines were used for 
separating metal from ore. 
The “ new mining ” yielded 
millions of dollars yearly, and 
greatly increased the pros¬ 
perity of the western states. 

523. Coal Oil and Gas. — 
The illuminants once used in 
this country were the tallow' 
candle and the whale oil lamp. 
At about the beginning of the 
war between the states, coal 
oil (petroleum) was found in 
western Pennsylvania. Coal oil lamps then took the place of 
candles for lighting purposes. A great business began in 
refining oil and shipping it all over the world. Oil was 
afterwards discovered in Texas, and certain western states. 
Kerosene is a product of petroleum, the latter in its crude 
state being used for fuel, and in its most refined form, be¬ 
coming gasoline. Coal gas, made from coal, was soon after¬ 
wards used for illumination. In the larger cities, coal gas 



A Modern “ Sky-Scraper ” 

Woolworth Building, New York; the 
tallest building in the world. This 
has a steel frame 

















DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY 383 

was manufactured and carried in pipes to houses and street 
lamps. 

524. Resources of the United States. — Our country is 
rich in natural resources, while its great territorial extent, 
affording different climates and varieties of soil, yields various 
productions. The vast wheat crops of the northern Missis¬ 
sippi Valley are interchanged, after the processes of manu¬ 
facture, with the cotton and tobacco of the South, and the 



Scene in the Oil District of Pennsylvania in 1868 


corn, potatoes, apples, and other produce of the eastern states. 
Fruit from California and the South is sold in the markets of 
other sections. This country-wide transportation of com¬ 
modities is made possible by our great railroad system. 
Along our coasts are valuable fisheries, and we have the 
greatest coal supply in the world. 

525. Commerce with Foreign Countries. — For many 
years, we had been engaged chiefly in agriculture and had 
depended largely upon foreign countries for farm machinery, 
tools, and manufactured goods. Since about the middle of 
the last century, however, there has been a marked increase 


















3§4 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


in the manufacturing industries of the country, and we no 
longer depend upon Europe for articles made here. Our 
country has become so great and prosperous, that we now 
supply manufactured goods, agricultural products, and other 
food supplies to foreign nations. 

526. Education. — The increase in the effectiveness of 
popular education, due to the establishment of technical and 
vocational schools, has been an important factor in national 
progress. The present tendency of education is along the 
lines of vocational training, so that the boy and girl may get 
the kind of education that will enable them to earn a living. 
Before the Civil War, the South did not have the educational 
advantages which subsequent conditions made desirable; 
there were few agricultural and trade schools. Better schools 
have been since established in that section and also institu¬ 
tions for higher education. 

527. Conditions after the Civil War. — The North had 

escaped the loss of property caused by the movements of 
large armies. Manufacturing and business had increased, 
while wages had advanced as the merchant, farmer, and 
manufacturer received higher prices. Conditions in the South 
were quite different. Owing to the blockade during the war, 
necessary supplies could not be obtained. This condition 
continued for some time afterward. Shoes, clothing, sugar, 
coffee, and salt were very scarce. Old carpets were made into 
blankets and curtains were used for cloth and bandages. For 
writing paper, leaves were torn from old books and envelopes 
were made from wall paper. The South had been devastated 
by the march of contending armies. Its plantations had 
been ruined, its crops destroyed, and its industries stopped 
by the destruction of railroads. The plantation work had 
formerly been done by slaves, who had been made free as a 


DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY 


385 


result of the war. The planter, unused to work in the fields, 
was obliged to cultivate his crops, to be shared with his former 
slaves. The price that he received for his produce fell, while 
he was obliged to pay more for farm implements and other 
necessary articles. The large plantations were then divided 
into small farms. Within five years from the close of the 
war, larger and better crops were produced from these small 
farms than from the large plantations. 

528. The Freedmen’s Bureau. — When the negroes had 
become free, they were unfit to improve the advantages that 
freedom brought. The more intelligent saw that, although 
free, they were also idle, and knew that idleness would not 
bring food, shelter, and clothing. To relieve this condition 
and to protect the negro, the Freedmen’s Bureau was estab¬ 
lished by Congress. This largely failed of its purpose, because 
the distribution of supplies led many of the freedmen to 
believe that they would be supported, without working, by 
the Federal Government. 

529. The New South. — Since the close of the war between 
the states, there has been in the South a great increase in 
industry and manufacturing, which has led to marked growth 
of certain sections. Alabama has important and growing 
commercial centers owing to its coal and iron industries. 
Texas, covering thousands of square miles of the most fertile 
and best grazing land in the United States, produces great 
quantities of beef and cotton. Oil fields have been discovered 
in this state, and many oil wells are in successful operation. 
Increased production of lumber, coal, iron, steel, and cotton, 
and the growth of the fruit industry, required more and better 
methods of transportation. Railroads were built throughout 
the South, affording increased facilities for carrying products 
to many markets. The growth of manufacturing, industrial, 


3 86 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


and commercial enterprises brought emigrants from Europe, 
as well as laborers from the North. The trade of the “ New 
South ” found a western market, through the building of the 
Southern Pacific Railroad from New Orleans to San Fran¬ 
cisco. Commerce between other ports and New Orleans 
was made possible for large seagoing vessels by deepening 
the channels at the mouth of the Mississippi River. This 
was done by jetties, constructed by James B. Eads, by which 



A Southern Cotton Mill 


the channels at the mouth of the river were narrowed and 
deepened. This increased the volume of water and the 
strength of the current, and prevented mud from accumulat¬ 
ing at the mouth of the river. 

530. Southern Expositions. — The development of the 
South has been shown by expositions which have been occa¬ 
sionally held for that purpose. The Centennial Cotton 
Exposition in New Orleans, in 1884, commemorated the first 
export of cotton from Charleston, S. C., in 1784. In 1895, 
the International Exposition at Atlanta showed the advance 
of the South in industry. It was particularly notable in 











DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY 


3*>7 


exhibiting the progress made in industrial education by the 
negro race. Two years later, the Centennial Exposition at 
Nashville was held to celebrate the admission of Tennessee 
into the Union. 



Court of Honor, Columbian Exposition 


In 1907, the Jamestown Fair, in which every southern state 
was represented, was held at Norfolk, Va., to mark the ter¬ 
centenary of the founding of Jamestown. It demonstrated the 
growth and progress of the South, for the preceding thirty years. 

531. Northern Expositions; the Centennial Exposition.— 
In 1876, the centennial of the independence of our country 
was celebrated at Philadelphia. This exhibition was held 
in magnificent buildings, and for six months was visited by 
millions of people. The World’s Columbian Exposition, in 
honor of the four hundredth anniversary of the discovery 
of America, was held in Chicago in 1893. It showed the vast 
extent of our national resources in industrial, agricultural, 
and inventional development. 

The Pan-American Exposition, open to all people on the 
American continent, was held at Buffalo in 1901. The 
mechanical and electrical displays were marvelous, and our 
national progress was extensively shown. 
















3 88 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


532. Western Expositions. — In 1898, the Trans-Mississippi 
Exposition was held in Omaha, to show the growth of the 
states west of the Mississippi River. It exhibited mineral 
and agricultural products and the results of industrial growth. 
The Louisiana Purchase Exposition was held in St. Louis in 
1903. One of its most important features was the exhibition 
of new inventions and recent scientific discoveries. 

533. The Alaskan Seal Fisheries. — As this country had 
purchased Alaska in 1867, our government claimed the exclu¬ 
sive right to the seals on the coast of Bering Sea. The ques¬ 
tion of respective rights of American and Canadian fishermen 
had long been discussed by representatives of our government 
and Great Britain. In 1886, when American vessels cruising 
in these waters overhauled Canadian fishing boats and seized 
their cargoes of furs, the situation became somewhat serious. 
In 1893, ^e matter was settled by a commission appointed 
by each country to arbitrate the dispute. It was decided 
that English or Canadian vessels might take seals outside 
the three-mile limit. The commission, however, framed 
careful regulations to prevent useless and wasteful slaughter 
of seals, which was what this government chiefly desired. 

534. The Pan-American Congress. — In 1889, representa¬ 
tives from seventeen South and Central American republics 
met in Washington and joined with our government in form¬ 
ing the Pan-American Congress. Better ways of conducting 
business and improved methods of transportation and com¬ 
munication were discussed. Recommendations were also 
made that all disputes among the countries represented should 
be settled by arbitration. 

535. The Hague Peace Tribunal. — Leading nations of 
the world sent representatives to a peace conference held at 
The Hague in 1899. Nearly twice as many met at the same 


DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY 


389 


place in 1907, to discuss plans for settling disputes between 
countries, by arbitration. Great expense in money and loss 
of life might be avoided if national disputes were settled in 
this way. 

536. Troubles with Italy and Chile. — Soon after the 
formation of the Pan-American Congress, the value of arbi- 



The Pan-American Building at Washington 

tration was shown in settling troubles between our govern¬ 
ment and that of Italy and of Chile. In New Orleans, in 
1890, some Italians, not citizens of this country, whom a 
jury had failed to convict of the murder of the chief of police 
of that city, were lynched. Serious complications might 
have arisen if the matter had not been settled by arbitration. 
A year later, in Valparaiso, Chile, American marines were 
attacked by a mob which killed two and wounded others. 
This case was also arbitrated, and Chile paid substantial 
damages. 

537. The Hawaiian Revolution. — In 1893, revolutionists 
in the Hawaiian Islands sent representatives to Washington 
to effect annexation to the United States. During the last 
days of the Harrison administration, a treaty was formulated 















390 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


and sent to the Senate for confirmation. Before the Senate 
had taken action, President Harrison’s term of office had 
expired. Early in President Cleveland’s second administra¬ 
tion, the treaty was withdrawn from the Senate, and a repre¬ 
sentative of this government was sent to Hawaii. He recom¬ 
mended that Liliuokalani, the former queen, be restored to 
the throne. No action was, however, taken by our govern¬ 
ment until two years later, when in 1898 Hawaii was annexed 
as a territory of the United States. 

538 . Porto Rico. — The inhabitants of Porto Rico had 
suffered loss of trade owing to the Spanish-American War. 
In addition to this, a year after the close of that war, property 
in Porto Rico to the value of twenty millions of dollars was 
destroyed by a tornado. Our government raised between 
two and three millions of dollars for the Porto Ricans, and 
shipped to them a large quantity of food. The money raised 
had been provided from the import duties formerly levied 
by our government on goods from Porto Rico. In 1900, 
Congress passed a law granting territorial government under 
which the people of that island elect their own legislature, 
while their governor is appointed by the President of the 
United States. 

SUMMARY 

1. Growth and development of the country. 

2. The Homestead Law. 

3. Trouble with the Indians. 

4. Increase in manufactures. 

5. The early railroads. 

6. Financial Panic of 1873. 

7. Education. 

8. The Freedmen’s Bureau. The New South. 

9. Expositions. 

10. The Alaskan seal fisheries. 

11. The Pan-American Congress. 


DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY 


39i 


12. The Hague Peace Tribunal. 

13. Italy and Chile. 

14. Porto Rico. 


QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. How did the territory in the Louisiana Purchase compare in size with 

the thirteen original colonies? 

2. What states and early territories were part of this purchase? 

3. What territory was purchased in 1819? 

4. What was the increase in population and territory during the fifty years 

from the close of the Revolutionary War? 

5. In i860, what was the population and territorial extent of this country? 

6. What was provided by the Homestead Law of 1862? 

7. What Indian troubles occurred in 1873 and 1876? 

8 . What were some early methods of manufacture and work? 

9. When were railroads built as far west as Chicago and St. Louis ? 

10. What caused the financial panic of 1873? 

11. What kind of schools made education a very important factor in national 

progress ? 

12. What was the Freedmen’s Bureau? Was it a success? 

13. What expositions were held in the United States? Why? 

14. What was determined by the arbitration in the matter of the Alaskan 

seal fisheries? 

15. When and why was the Pan-American Congress formed? 

16. What was the purpose of the Hague Peace Tribunal? 

17. What trouble in Italy and Chile was settled by arbitration ? 

18. When did Porto Rico become United States territory? How did our 

government help that island ? 


CHAPTER XIX 


CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT; BUSINESS; LABOR TROUBLES 

539. The Presidential Succession Act. — President Gar¬ 
field died several months before Congress met. At that time, 
Vice-President Arthur was very ill, and if he had died some 
confusion might have arisen as to who should become Presi¬ 
dent. To remedy this difficulty, the Presidential Succession 
Act was passed in 1886, providing for the selection in turn, 
beginning with the Secretary of State, of members of the 
Cabinet, who were to assume the Presidency in case of death, 
or disability, of both the President and the Vice-President. 

540. The Interstate Commerce Commission. —Population 
had grown rapidly in the new states. The freight business 
of the railroads had increased very much, and many of them 
were combined under one management. The railroads were 
not always fair to shippers in the matter of freight charges. 
“ Rebates,” or a return of a portion of the freight rates, were 
made to a few favored shippers. Hence, upon some, the 
burden of business competition was greatly increased, while 
lessened for others. Complaint of this unfair practice became 
so general that, in 1887, Congress passed the Interstate Com¬ 
merce Act. The purpose of this law was to make uniform 
freight and passenger charges in railroad traffic between 
different states. A commission of seven members, called the 
Interstate Commerce Commission, was chosen to see that the 
provisions of this law were carried into effect. 


39 2 


CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT; BUSINESS 


393 


541. Ballot Reform Laws. — Under the old method of 
conducting elections, voters formed in lines and proceeded in 
turn to the ballot boxes. There was thus no opportunity for 
secrecy in performing an important duty of citizenship, and 
sometimes, owing to free access to the voters, votes were 
bought and sold. Ballot Reform laws which greatly decreased 
this evil were passed in a large number of states. Their 
object was to provide an opportunity for voting, in secret, in 
booths provided for that purpose. 

542. Direct Primaries. — In the Direct Primary system, 
selection of candidates for elective office is made by the voters 
themselves. Nominations for office made at conventions 
were too often dictated by political leaders who controlled 
the delegates. This elective reform was begun as early as 
1890. Laws for the nomination of candidates under the 
Direct Primary system have been passed in more than thirty- 
eight states. 

543. Changes in Municipal Government. — Municipal gov¬ 
ernment has frequently been ineffective through the ineffi¬ 
ciency or dishonesty of officials. For better administration, 
many cities have adopted the “ commission ” form of govern¬ 
ment. The “ commission ” consists of a board composed of 
persons selected for their ability in managing municipal 
affairs. 

544. The Initiative and Referendum. — Another change in 
the method of enacting laws adopted first in some of the 
western states, is known as the Initiative and Referendum. 
The Initiative provides that a state legislature must consider 
any law which a sufficiently large number of voters propose. 
If the intended law is not enacted by the legislature, it may 
be submitted to the voters at a subsequent election. Under 
the Referendum, laws which a legislature has passed must, 


394 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


if a certain number of voters demand, be referred to the 
voters for approval or rejection. 

545. The Recall. — By 1913, a law giving the people con¬ 
trol of officials had been adopted in eight western states. It 
is called the Recall and provides that on petition of a certain 
number of citizens, the voters may decide at a subsequent 
election, whether the term of office of an official shall terminate 
sooner than the expiration of the period for which he had been 
elected. 

546. Business Corporations; Trusts. — The building of 
railroads has greatly increased the business of the country. 
This has resulted in intense competition, which companies 
engaged in the same business sought to lessen by merging 
their interests in one corporation. This merger of interests 
has created what has been commonly called a “ trust.” The 
railroads were the first to adopt this procedure. In place of 
many small railroads a few large companies were formed to 
control the business of transportation. Many believed that 
the “ trusts ” controlled prices, limited production, destroyed 
competition, and created monopoly. The organizers of these 
business combinations claimed that they brought about 
economy of production and cheaper prices. As large indi¬ 
vidual fortunes were made in this way, many thought that 
combinations of capital thus formed for carrying on business 
were not wholly beneficial. 

The Supreme Court of the United States, in recent deci¬ 
sions, has determined that in the conduct of business certain 
combinations of capital, known as “ trusts,” are illegal. 

547. Labor Unions and Strikes. — As great companies 
have been formed to carry on “ big business,” larger numbers 
of skilled and unskilled laborers have been employed. Work¬ 
men have formed unions for protecting their interests and for 


CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT; BUSINESS 395 

the determination of such questions as rates of wages and 
hours of work. T he national labor organization is the Ameri¬ 
can Federation of Labor. Many labor disputes have been 
settled by arbitration, but when this has failed, strikes have 
occurred which have caused idleness, disorder, and loss of 
property and life. 

548. A Great Railroad Strike. — One of the first great 
railroad strikes occurred in 1877, through the decreased earn¬ 
ings of the railroads, because of the financial panic of 1873. 
The wages of railroad employees were lowered, and trainmen 
on the Pennsylvania and other railroads refused to work. 
The strike spread from the East to St. Louis, Chicago, and 
other cities. It resulted in the destruction of millions of 
dollars worth of property. 

549. The Haymarket Riots in Chicago. — During a strike 
in Chicago in 1886, thousands of laborers were thrown out of 
employment. At Haymarket Square, in that city, a speaker 
advised the exercise of force. He was arrested, and in the 
confusion that followed several persons were killed by a dyna¬ 
mite bomb. Some of the leaders of the mob were hanged, 
while others were imprisoned. 

550. Other Labor Troubles. — A strike occurred in 1892, 
owing to the lowering of wages in the iron mills of Homestead, 
Pennsylvania. Non-union laborers who took the places of 
the strikers were attacked and killed. To end this strike, it 
became necessary to call out the state troops. In 1902 the 
coal miners struck for higher wages. The mine owners refused 
to arbitrate the dispute. Finally a commission appointed 
by President Roosevelt ended the strike by suggesting reme¬ 
dies which were adopted. 

551. The Pullman Car Company Strike. — In 1894, the 
Pullman Car Company of Chicago reduced wages, and about 


39& 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


three thousand of their workmen struck. The strike spread 
to other railroad workers and the situation became very 
serious. The trouble lasted for about three weeks and was 
terminated by military intervention. 

552 . The Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution. — 
In 1918, Congress proposed an amendment to the Federal 
Constitution enforcing national prohibition. This amend¬ 
ment was ratified by the requisite number of state legislatures 
and went into full effect in January, 1920. 

553 . The Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution. — 
In 1919, Congress passed a resolution proposing an amendment 
to the Constitution granting to women the right to vote upon 
the same conditions as men. This amendment was ratified 
by the necessary number of state legislatures and became 
part of the Constitution in 1921. 

The right to vote is the first step in woman’s struggle for 
complete civil rights. 

SUMMARY 

1. Presidential Succession Act. 

2. The Interstate Commerce Commission. 

3. The Initiative and Referendum. 

4. The Eighteenth Amendment. 

5. The proposed Nineteenth Amendment. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. Why was the Presidential Succession Act made a law? 

2. What was the Interstate Commerce Commission? 

3. Why were Ballot Reform laws enacted? 

4. What is meant by the Initiative and Referendum? The Recall? 

5. Plow is the “ trust ” formed ? 

6. What is the object of labor unions? 

7. What is meant by a “strike”? Name some strikes that have occurred. 

8. For what did the Eighteenth Amendment provide? 

9. What is the purpose of the proposed Nineteenth Amendment? 




CHAPTER XX 

THE WORLD WAR 

554. The German Scheme of World Control. — Since the 
time of Napoleon, there had been no very extensive warfare 
in Europe until the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. In this 
War, France was conquered. At its close, the German Empire 
was founded. By the terms of the peace settlement, France 
was obliged to cede her provinces of Alsace and Lorraine to 
Germany, and to pay an indemnity of one billion dollars. The 
people of Alsace and Lorraine, who were mostly of French 
birth, long suffered German oppression. France also deeply 
resented the loss of her provinces. From the close of the 
Franco-Prussian War to the commencement of the World 
War, in 1914, Germany had employed all her energies and 
resources in preparation for further war in an attempt at 
world domination. 

555. German “ Kultur.” — In this long period of prepara¬ 
tion, there grew a trend of thought and development of char¬ 
acter among the German people, which they expressed by the 
word Kultur. This taught that war is essential to all national 
growth. German writers and speakers have held that 
brutality and cruelty were both necessary and justifiable as 
means of inspiring fear through “ frightfulness.” The Ger¬ 
man people became imbued with the idea that “ might makes 
right,” and that the rights of weaker nations, even though 
secured by treaty, need not be respected. 

397 


39^ 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


556 . The Military Ambitions of Germany. — In anticipa¬ 
tion of world conquest, Germany had drilled and supported 
an immense army and increased her navy. The development 



of military and naval power was the chief aim of the German 
government. Under the laws of the German Empire, the 
power to declare war rested with the Kaiser. The German 
people, through “ military advisers and monarchical auto- 


i 


















THE WORLD WAR 


399 


crats,” were led to believe that their existence as a nation, 
and their chance to “ secure a place in the sun,” depended 
solely upon the strength and efficiency of their armed forces. 
They were taught to await “ the day,” when through military 
preparedness they might secure world-wide dominion. 

557. The Middle-Europe Plan. — A part of the plan of the 
German military leaders was the extension of their control 
from Berlin to the Persian Gulf. This design was made pos¬ 
sible, since Germany, long friendly with Turkey, had secured 
from the latter government the right to build a railroad from 
Constantinople to Bagdad. To connect with this railroad, 
it would be necessary to secure territory and right of way 
through the countries of the Balkan peninsula. Most of the 
Balkan states had thrown off the oppression of Turkish rule, 
Serbia being the first to secure independence. 

558. Austria and the Balkan Peninsula. — Austro-Hun- 
gary, an ally of Germany, also desired to gain control of the 
Balkan states, to get access to the ports of the /Egean Sea. 
In 1908 Austro-Hungary had annexed Bosnia, west of Serbia. 
This was displeasing to Serbia, because a large portion of the 
inhabitants of Bosnia were of Serbian birth. Independent 
Serbia was determined also to avoid Austrian control, while 
Austria sought a pretext for war. If the Middle-Europe plan 
were carried out, the Balkan states and Asia Minor would 
be controlled by Austria and Germany. This was to be the 
first step by Germany toward curbing the power of England 
in Egypt and India. Little Serbia, however, stood in the 
way of the plans of Germany and Austro-Hungary. 

559. The Pretext for War. — Austria’s chance to carry out 
her designs against Serbia came in July, 1914. The Austrian 
crown prince, Francis Ferdinand, and his wife had been 
assassinated while on a visit in Bosnia. The murderers were 


400 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Austrian subjects, of Serbian birth. Austria claimed that 
Serbia was, therefore, responsible for the crime. A secret 
inquiry was made by the Austrian court, and a peremptory 
note was sent to the Serbian government demanding un¬ 
conditional acceptance of its terms within forty-eight hours. 



The Interior of the Library at Louvain after the German 

Troops had Passed 


Serbia agreed to comply with all the Austrian demands except 
two, and suggested a reference to the Hague Tribunal, or to 
the judgment of other European governments. 

560. The War Begins. — Notwithstanding the efforts of 
the countries comprising the Triple Entente (England, Russia, 
and France) to arrange a settlement, Austria declared war on 
Serbia, July 28, 1914. Germany then declared war upon 
Russia because she had begun to mobilize her forces, and 
upon France, August 1, 1914. 

561. German Plan of Campaign. — Russia, to help Serbia, 
to whom she was bound by ties of religion and race, began to 




















THE WORLD WAR 


401 


move her armies to the western frontier. Germany saw that 
she must strike a decisive blow before Russia was ready to 
enter the war. The quickest and easiest way of moving 
troops from Germany to France was through Belgium. The 
German commanders determined to enter France by this 
route, in an attempt to take Paris before England might send 
an army across the Channel. 

562. Invasion of Belgium.— Belgium was protected from 
invasion by treaty, to which Germany was a party. This, 
however, did not prevent the advance of the Huns, who 
spoke of the treaty as a “ mere scrap of paper.” The Ger¬ 
mans, in the face of stubborn and heroic resistance by the 
Belgians, succeeded in reaching French territory. In Belgium 
the Germans were guilty of wanton destruction of life and 
property. Notable as an 
act of vandalism was the 
sacking of Louvain and the 
destruction of its cathedral 
and priceless library. Upon 
the invasion of Belgium, 

England declared war upon 
Germany, August 1, 1914. 

563. The First Battle of 
the Marne. — The English 
government had at once 
sent all available troops to 
the assistance of the French. 

The French and English 
armies, however, were 
greatly outnumbered by the 
German forces, who finally reached and crossed the Marne 
River, at a point about twenty miles east of Paris. Here, 



Marshal Joffre 







402 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


in September, was fought the first battle of the Marne in 
which the German line was broken and her army routed and 
driven back. The first battle of the Marne was one of the 
decisive battles of the world, and the German defeat was 
largely due to the superb generalship of the French comman¬ 
der, Marshal Joffre. 

564. Failure of the German Plan of Campaign. — Germany 
had failed in her attempt to take Paris. The delay caused 
by the little Belgian army was far-reaching in results, and 
probably “ saved the world for democracy.” The Germans 
had also been unsuccessful in their attempt to capture 
the channel ports of Calais and Dunkirk. One hundred 
thousand soldiers and a great quantity of supplies had by 
this time been sent from England to the French army in 
Flanders. 

565. Movements of the Russian Army. — The Russian 
army had mobilized in Russian Poland. The countries to 
the north and south were, respectively, East Prussia and 
Galicia. Before the Russians could advance upon Berlin the 
German forces in these two provinces must be overcome. 
This was necessary to prevent a rear attack which might 
result in cutting off the Russian army from its base of supplies. 
The Russians advanced into East Prussia, where, at the battle 
of Tannenberg, they were defeated with disastrous loss during 
the last days of August, 1914. The Russian campaign against 
Galicia was successful, and by December, 1914, the greater 
part of that province had been overcome. Before the close 
of the year, the Germans and Austrians, however, had in¬ 
vaded Poland and threatened Warsaw. The most important 
thing accomplished by the Russian armies was the weakening 
of the German western front, through the withdrawal of 
troops from that locality. 


THE WORLD WAR 


403 


566. Serbia, Italy, Japan, and Turkey. — Serbia made a 
gallant resistance to the Austrian forces sent against her, who 
were twice defeated and driven out of the country. Belgrade 
was taken, but was recaptured by the Serbians. It was not 
until the following year (1915) that the Serbians were con¬ 
quered by an Austrian army aided by Bulgaria, which in 
1915 had joined the Central Powers. A few months after 
the war had begun, Turkey, neutral at first, also became an 
ally of Austria and Germany. Italy joined the allied powers 
in May, 1915. The Central Powers were now Germany, 
Austria, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Japan allied herself with 
England, France, and Russia soon after the war began. She 
took no part in the fighting in Western Europe, but guarded 
the interests of the Allies on the Pacific Coast. 

567. German Loss of Territory. — Germany, early in the 
war, lost all her Pacific Island possessions, and within three 
years, all of her African colonies. Activities in southwest 
Africa against the German colonies were conducted by the 
Boers, under Generals Smuts and Botha. In 1917 German 
East Africa was conquered by combined English and Belgian 
forces. 

568. The German and British Navies. — Soon after the 
beginning of the war, the British and French cleared the sea 
of all German war vessels except the submarines. The German 
navy was bottled up in the Kiel Canal and in the waters near 
the island of Heligoland. English war vessels prevented 
food, supplies, and munitions sent from neutral countries 
from being carried to Germany. The British navy at one 
time made a practice of holding up our vessels, and when food 
that had been shipped was seized, our government protested 
against this, as being a violation of the rights of neutrals. 
As the war progressed, Germany complained that England 


404 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


was trying to starve her civilian population. The reply of 
the English government was to the effect that it could not be 
distinguished whether food, sent to Germany by neutral 
countries, was intended for non-combatants, or for the Ger¬ 
man army. England therefore continued to seize all food 
sent to neutral countries that she considered in excess of that 
needed for their own consumption. Germany wished to stop 
this interference by England with the trade of neutral coun¬ 
tries, and if possible to prevent munitions from being carried 
to English ports. Accordingly, in 1915, the German govern¬ 
ment declared that the waters surrounding the British Islands 
were in the “ war zone.” She further said that her sub¬ 
marines would sink without warning any merchant vessels 
of belligerent nations found in those waters, and warned 
neutral vessels that they might be sunk by mistake if found 
there. 



569. New Methods of Warfare. — Recent inventions have 
changed the ways of fighting both on sea and land. Ger¬ 
many, as the war went on, 
used the submarine in ruth¬ 
less fashion, attacking un¬ 
armed ships without warn¬ 
ing and sending them to 
the bottom. For use on 
land, the English converted 
motor cars into large ar¬ 
mored “ tanks,” having 
rapid-fire guns, and being 
driven by revolving metallic 
belts which, rolling along the ground, drove the tanks ahead. 
These “ caterpillar ” tanks were heavy and powerful, able to 
go over rough ground and to smash all obstacles. A lighter 


An American “ Whippet ” Tank 








THE WORLD WAR 


405 


tank, or “ whippet,” was also used for moving more quickly 
and clearing the way toward the enemies’ line when an attack 
was to be made. The airplane, a most valuable machine in 
warfare, could be driven at great speed and used for fighting, 
scouting, or bombing purposes. 

570. Submarine Warfare ; the “ Lusitania.” —The Ger¬ 
man submarines by destroying merchant vessels without 
warning acted in violation of international law. Ships were 
blown up without opportunity being given to remove pas¬ 
sengers. More than a thousand lives, including one hundred 
fourteen Americans, were lost by the sinking of the Lusitania 
by a German submarine, in May, 1915. The following year 
the Sussex was blown up in the English Channel, and more 
American lives were lost. The United States government, in 
a series of diplomatic notes addressed to Germany, protested 
against this kind of warfare. Germany was notified that she 
would be held to strict accountability for loss of life or injury 
done to citizens of the United States. After the blowing up 
of the Sussex, the German government promised to sink 
no more vessels without warning. This promise was not 
kept, however, and in January, 1917, Germany announced 
that she would continue her submarine attacks and would 
sink, without warning and wherever found, merchant ships 
whether neutral or belligerent. To her faithlessness, Ger¬ 
many added insult in agreeing to allow our government to 
send one ship weekly to England. This ship was to be painted 
in a prescribed manner, so that the German submarine com¬ 
manders might recognize it. 


406 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


SUMMARY 

1. The World War : its underlying causes. 

2. The Middle-Europe plan. 

3. Austria and the Balkan Peninsula. 

4. The pretext for war. 

5. German plan of campaign. 

6. Invasion of Belgium. 

7. First battle of the Marne. 

8. Movements of the Russian armies. 

9. Progress of the war in Serbia. 

10. Italy joins the Allies. 

11. German loss of territory. 

12. The German and British navies. 

13. New methods of warfare. 

14. The sinking of the Lusitania. 

15. Germany’s submarine warfare. 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. What did German Kultur teach? 

2. What was the Middle-Europe plan? 

3. Why was the possession of the Balkan states important to Germany 

and Austria? 

4. What was the pretext of the declaration of war by Austria on Serbia? 

5. What was the German plan of campaign'? 

6. Where were the movements of the Russian army directed in 1914? 

7. What two countries conquered Serbia? 

8 . Where was the German navy bottled up ? 

9. What course did English war vessels pursue which was considered by 

this country as a violation of the rights of neutrals? 

10. What complaint did Germany make with regard to the English navy? 

How did Germany retaliate? 

11. What were some of the new methods of warfare? 

12. Tell about the Lusitania and Sussex. 

13. What policy with regard to submarine attacks did Germany assume in 

January, 1917? 


CHAPTER XXI 


THE UNITED STATES ENTERS THE WAR 

571. Declaration of Congress. — Early in 1917, President 
Wilson laid before Congress the matter of Germany’s sub¬ 
marine attacks on neutral ships. In his address, he said: 
“ Vessels of every kind, whatever their flag, their character, 
their cargo, their destination, their errand, have been ruth¬ 
lessly sent to the bottom without warning, and without 
thought of help or mercy for those on board, the vessels of 
friendly neutrals along with those of belligerents. Even 
hospital ships and ships carrying relief to the sorely bereaved 
and stricken people of Belgium, though the latter were pro¬ 
vided with safe conduct through the prescribed areas, by the 
German government itself, and were distinguished by un¬ 
mistakable marks of identity, have been sunk with the same 
reckless lack of compassion, or of principle.” 

Therefore, on April 6, 1917, Congress declared that a state 
of war existed between this country and Germany, because 
of the unlawful acts of the German government. Later, our 
government declared war against Austria. 

572. Revolution in Russia. — Through want of supplies 
and munitions, the Russian armies had been disorganized and 
defeated. This was caused by German intrigue and treachery 
in the Russian court. The condition of Russia became 
desperate on account of the struggle of different factions for 
control. A revolution began in March, 1917, and a few 
months later Czar Nicholas abdicated. A year afterward, at 

407 


408 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Brest-Litovsk, a town in Russian Poland, the Russians were 
forced to make a separate and most unjust treaty with 
Germany. 

573. Trench Warfare. — After the first battle of the Marne 
the Germans retreated to Belgium and northern France and 



began a system of trench warfare. These trenches, deeply 
dug, extended for miles across the country and gave protec¬ 
tion from artillery fire. The British and French also “ dug 
in ” until the country was covered with trenches. In different 
places they were roofed over, forming “ dugouts,” in which 
the soldiers lived. The open ground between the trenches of 













THE UNITED STATES ENTERS THE WAR 409 

the opposing forces was called “ No Man’s Land,” and was 
from a few yards to a mile or more wide. Heavy barbed wire 
entanglements were built in front of the trenches. When an 
attack was to be made, the soldiers went “ over the top,” as 
climbing out of the trenches was called. To prevent a 
counter-attack a “ barrage,” or heavy shell fire, was so 
directed that it dropped explosives just ahead of the line of 
advancing troops. Before an attack, poisonous gas was 
thrown out, the fumes of which caused instant death, unless 
the soldiers were protected by gas masks. 

574. The Need of Ships.—When the United States 
entered the war, ships for carrying soldiers and munitions 
were needed at once. The cry was for “ more ships.” As 
President Wilson said, we must have a “ bridge of ships.” 
The German submarines had been destroying shipping faster 
than boats could be built. Our shipyards began to build 
ships very rapidly. Six months from the time this country 
entered the war, fifty thousand American soldiers were being 
sent to France monthly. As the war progressed one hundred 
fifty thousand men were sent abroad each month, until 
more than two million Americans were under arms. 

575. Increased Industry. — Although the task was great, 
in moving this vast force across the Atlantic, in equipping 
and training them, the United States gave to the whole 
world an object lesson in speed and effectiveness. This un¬ 
dertaking demanded the greatest activity in industry and 
manufacturing. 

576. Government Control of Railroads; the Coal Sup¬ 
ply. — Great supplies of clothing, shoes, food, and munitions 
were needed at the front. In an effort to supply these things 
as promptly as possible, the government took control of the 
railroads of the country, and afterward assumed direction of 


4 io 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


the telephone and telegraph systems. To carry out govern¬ 
ment control, a railroad administrator was appointed. It 
became also necessary to see that the available coal supply 
was fairly distributed. The winter of 1917-1918 had been 
very severe and this, with the demands which war made, 
caused our coal supply to become insufficient and expensive. 
To prevent the hoarding of coal, dwellings were inspected at 
this critical time, to discover excessive domestic supplies. 
Stores and factories were closed on certain days to save coal. 
For the same reason the amount of electric lighting was 
curtailed. 

577. The Food Problem. — Before the United States 
entered the war, we had been shipping a great amount of 
food to France and England. Now that our soldiers were 
going across the Atlantic in increasing numbers, more food 
became necessary, and in addition we were asked to send food 
to our allies. The British and French had been fighting for 
three years. France, as the Germans expressed it, had been 
“ bled white.” So many men were engaged in the war that 
very few were left to till the fields of Europe, and no large 
crops were grown. To meet this enormous demand for food, 
and to see that fair distribution of it should be made, our 
government appointed a food administrator. The people 
were asked to eat no meat on certain days. On others, they 
were to do without wheat. The amount of flour or sugar 
that could be bought at one time was limited. The farmers 
worked to increase their crops, while the proper selection of 
food and economy in its use became the watchword of every 
household. 

578. The Military Training Camps. — Our government at 
once began the arduous task of turning civilians into soldiers. 
Within a very few weeks after the United States entered the 


THE UNITED STATES ENTERS THE WAR 411 

war, training camps were established throughout the country, 
where young men were drilled and prepared for the various 
branches of the service. Some of these were used for training 
officers, while others were schools for aviation and artillery 
practice. Attention was given also to the social and physical 
welfare of the men at these camps. Recreation was provided 
for in the maintenance of athletic fields. There were also 



A View of an American Training Camp 


libraries, hospitals, canteens, and buildings where plays or 
other forms of entertainment might be enjoyed. The can¬ 
teens, or “ huts,” were conducted by the Red Cross, the 
Knights of Columbus, the Young Men’s Christian Associa¬ 
tion, and other organizations. 

579. The Selective Draft; Liberty Bonds. — Soldiers who 
did not enlist were obtained by the government through the 
selective draft, from men between eighteen and forty-five 
years of age. Money to carry on the war was raised by the 
people through the purchase of Liberty Loan bonds. There 
were five such bond sales and billions of dollars were raised 
in this way. Thrift stamps and war savings stamps were 
also sold in great quantities. 










412 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


580. General Pershing in Command of the American 
Forces. — Our preparations for war had been going on for 
about two months, when General John J. Pershing was chosen 

for the command of the Ameri¬ 
can army. He went to France 
in June, 1917, to prepare for the 
arrival of American troops. It 
was necessary to build camps and 
to enlarge the terminal facilities 
at various French ports, so that 
supplies might be safely stored. 
Additional cars and locomotives 
were needed for use on the French 
railways. These were shipped in 
parts and afterwards reassembled. 
The American soldiers began 
to arrive on French soil soon 
afterward. They then began 
another course of training, and when fall came, were ready 
to join the seasoned French and British soldiers at the 
front. 

581. How the Women Helped. — The work done by 
women in the war was admirable. Nothing was too difficult 
for them, whether employed as nurses, factory workers, or 
ambulance drivers. In knitting garments, in making band¬ 
ages, in selling Liberty bonds, and in raising money for the 
Red Cross, their patriotic and unstinted work was of the 
greatest value. Overseas, they gave cheer and comfort to 
thousands of sick, wounded, and dying boys at the front. 
By their quiet courage, their untiring labor, often in most 
dangerous and trying situations, they showed the highest 
type of steadfast patriotism. 



John J. Pershing 




THE UNITED STATES ENTERS THE WAR 413 


582. The Great German Drive. — In March, 1918, the 
Germans, reenforced by troops from the eastern front, broke 
through the French and British lines near St. Quentin in 
Picardy. They outnumbered the allied troops and forced 
their way in a westerly drive of nearly forty miles, to the 
vicinity of the important railroad junction at Amiens. Here 
they were checked by the timely arrival of fresh French and 
British troops. The capture of Amiens by the Germans 
would have proved disastrous, as it would have prevented 
supplies from Paris and the channel ports from reaching the 
allied troops at the front. 

583. The Supreme Command Given to General Foch. — 

The Germans in their great drive had been attempting to 
break through the allied lines 
at various points. Their object 
was to gain a decisive victory 
before more American soldiers 
should arrive in France. Gen¬ 
eral Pershing saw, at this criti¬ 
cal time, that sole power and 
responsibility should be centered 
on one commander. He there¬ 
fore offered to the French Gen- . 
eral Foch the command of all the 
American forces. When Italy 
and Great Britain joined in this 
plan, General Foch became su¬ 
preme commander of all the 
allied troops. At this time, our government was sending 
overseas about three hundred thousand men each month. 

584. Further Movement of the German Forces. — After 
their repulse at Amiens, the German troops tried to over- 



Ferdinand Foch 



414 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


whelm the British at the west front in Flanders, in an attempt 
to take the channel ports. After desperate fighting, they 
were defeated by the British army. In the important fight¬ 
ing, along the line between Rheims and Soissons, the Ger¬ 
mans were stopped by the Americans and French. In this 
drive, however, the enemy forces bent the Allies’ lines toward 
the south, and gaining control of a large wedge-shaped piece 
of territory advanced to the Marne River. After three 
months of hard fighting, the Germans had succeeded in cross¬ 
ing the Marne, and it seemed that the taking of Paris was 
imminent. The German advance, however, had been made 
at the cost of about one half million men. The desperate 
fighting had sapped their strength, and they were held in 
check at this point. 

585. Chateau-Thierry. — After the German onslaught had 
been checked, there was severe fighting in the vicinity of the 
town of Chateau-Thierry, near the river Marne. There were 
at this time more than one million American soldiers in France, 
and they gave most valuable aid to the French forces. When 
the fiercest fighting was going on at Chateau-Thierry, Amer¬ 
ican troops and marines were hurried to the battle front to 
reenforce the French. The fighting at this place occurred on 
June 5 and 6, 1918, and resulted in the defeat of the Germans, 
which was due in great measure to the American troops. 

586. The Second Battle of the Marne; the Turning 
Point. — Fresh American troops were continually pouring 
into France, and by the middle of July, 1918, there were four 
hundred thousand of our men at the front, with the British 
and French. It was at this time that the Germans attempted 
to enlarge the pocket, or “ wedge,” which extended southerly 
from Rheims and Soissons. They tried in vain to break 
through the American and French lines south of the Marne. 


THE UNITED STATES ENTERS THE WAR 415 


The German commanders saw that they were in danger of 
being surrounded by allied troops who were massing north 
of them. They were in a trap, and only instant retreat saved 
them from capture, and by the end of July they had been 
driven back from the Marne for the second time. 



Chateau-Thierry in July, 1918 


587. Advance of the Allied Armies. — General Foch now 
began a system of separate attacks, at different places, along 
the entire battle front. He did not give the enemy time to 
prepare for counter-attacks. The territory taken by the 
Germans in Picardy, in March, was regained by the British. 
By the middle of September, the Germans had been driven 
from St. Mihiel in northeastern France, where they had long 
held a strong position which threatened Verdun, a town which 
had long successfully resisted German attacks. The fighting 
at St. Mihiel was done entirely by the Americans, as a separate 
army. This American force captured a large number of 
prisoners and recovered much territory. 








416 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


588. The Argonne Forest. — The American army, after 
its success at St. Mihiel, pushed on, and in the latter part of 
September entered the region known as the Argonne Forest. 
This was a densely wooded and uneven country, full of thickets 
and underbrush, which made progress slow and difficult. The 
fighting was desperate and bloody, and the Americans suffered 
severe losses. German machine gun “ nests ” were thickly 
planted throughout these woods. At every point where 
troops might cut a passage through, the German fire was 
deadly. Of two hundred fifty Americans detailed at one 
place to capture German machine guns, only eleven returned 
alive. The American advance was also greatly impeded by 
barbed wire entanglements. After severe fighting, the Amer¬ 
icans succeeded early in October in passing through this 
forest and breaking through the German lines beyond. 

589. The Drive on the Center. — While the American 
army was engaged on the northeastern front, the British and 
French forces were steadily pushing the Germans back along 
the Central front, and by September had driven them to the 
line which the Allies had held before the German drive began 
in the early spring. British troops had also driven the Ger¬ 
mans back to the old Hindenburg line. 

590. The Hindenburg Line Smashed. — At about the time 
the Americans had succeeded in getting through the Argonne 
region, General Foch ordered an advance along the center. 
After several days of terrific fighting, the Hindenburg line 
was smashed, and the German troops retreated, closely pur¬ 
sued by the British and American forces. Pushing ahead, 
the allied forces captured Cambrai on October 9, 1918. By 
the middle of the month, the German army on the western 
front was in full retreat. The great German drive had been 
a failure. 


THE UNITED STATES ENTERS THE WAR 417 

591. The Fighting in Other Sections. — The Allies, with 
the exception of Russia, had been successful on the other 
fronts. Turkey and Bulgaria, who had, with the aid of 
Austria and Germany earlier in the war, conquered Roumania, 
Montenegro, and Serbia, and gained control of the Balkan 
Peninsula, were now exhausted. The Italians had driven the 
Austrians back to their own border. The British forces had 
captured (1917) Jerusalem and Bagdad. Turkey was also 
ready to cease fighting, as she had lost much territory and the 
capture of Constantinople was threatened. Austria also was 
ready for peace, while the Bulgarians had surrendered in the 
latter part of September, 1918. 

592. An Exchange of Diplomatic Notes. — While the allied 
counter-offensive was being made in France and the German 
withdrawal of forces had become a retreat, the German 
government addressed a note to ours, asking for an armistice, 
in order that terms of peace might be discussed. 

In his reply, President Wilson demanded to know with 
whom he was to negotiate regarding the matter. Germany 
made an ambiguous and unsatisfactory reply, to which our 
government answered that no armistice could be arranged 
unless it were one which would render a return to arms by 
Germany impossible. It was further stated by President 
Wilson, that if negotiations were to be made, it must be with 
duly accredited representatives of the German people, and 
not with the “ military masters or monarchical autocrats ” 
of that country. Otherwise there would be no negotiations, 
except for surrender. 

593. The “Fourteen Points.” — President Wilson also 
stated that peace could be declared only upon certain condi¬ 
tions, known as the “ fourteen points.” Some of these were: 
that there should be free navigation of the seas, the surrender 


418 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


of all occupied territory, and the reduction by Germany of 
her armed forces. There were to be no secret treaties between 
nations. A “ league of nations ” should be formed, to secure 
the rights of all countries, great or small, with a view to pre¬ 
vent future warfare. 

594. The Armistice; the Abdication of the German Em¬ 
peror. — The terms of the armistice agreed upon by the 
United States and the nations associated with her in the war 
were submitted by Marshal Foch to the German commis¬ 
sioners appointed to meet him. They were accepted by the 
German government, and the war ended November n, 1918. 
The armistice provided that the German forces should retire 
into their own territory and give up their arms. The German 
navy and submarines were to be surrendered. The allied 
troops were to be permitted to occupy a strip of land on the 
easterly bank of the Rhine as far south as Switzerland. The 
German emperor abdicated and sought refuge in Holland, 
while the crown prince fled to an island in the Zuyder Zee. 
Germany soon afterward became a republic. 

595. The Conference at Paris. — Although hostilities had 
ceased with the acceptance by Germany of the terms of the 
armistice, peace could not be restored by treaty until many 
questions had been settled. There had been many nations 
involved in the war, and their claims were so diverse that 
nearly seven months elapsed before a treaty, interwoven with 
a “ league of nations ” covenant, was prepared. To deter¬ 
mine upon what terms a treaty of peace could be effected, 
representatives of the various governments that had been at 
war met at Paris, in January, 1919. In December, 1918, 
President Wilson sailed for France on the George Washington. 
The American delegates to the peace conference were Secre¬ 
tary of State Lansing; Henry White of Maryland, ex-Ambas- 


THE UNITED STATES ENTERS THE WAR 419 


sador to France; General Tasker H. Bliss of the United 
States army ; and Colonel Edward M. House of Texas. The 
delegates representing France and England were Premiers 
Clemenceau and Lloyd George. The treaty was signed at 
Versailles, on June 28, 1919. This was the first time a Presi¬ 
dent of the United States had visited a foreign country, 
during his term of office. Under our Constitution treaties 
are made by and with the consent of the Senate. President 
Wilson submitted the treaty with Germany and the League 
of Nations Covenant to the Senate July 10, 1919, where it 
met with opposition. The matter was debated for a con¬ 
siderable time. Some of the senators believed that the treaty 
of peace should be considered apart from the League of 
Nations Covenant, while others thought that both should 
be ratified with certain reservations, in order that America’s 
position should be clearly understood by the allied powers. 
The treaty and covenant of the League of Nations, with 
reservations appended, were defeated in the Senate as they 
did not receive the necessary two-thirds vote for ratification. 
The treaty may again be submitted by the President for 
ratification. 

Without waiting for further action by our government 
regarding the Treaty and League of Nations Covenant, the 
peace delegates of England, France, and Italy at the Supreme 
Council of Paris, agreed that the time for putting the Treaty 
and Covenant into effect, on the part of the allied govern¬ 
ments of Europe, should be December 1, 1919. 

Japan had ratified the treaty October 30, 1919. 

596. What the War Had Cost. — The cost of the World 
War in lives, property, and money was tremendous. It is 
estimated that about seven million men were killed. The 
loss of property in the battle areas, especially in France and 


420 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


Belgium, amounted to many billions of dollars. Much of 
this was caused by wanton destruction perpetrated by the 
German armies. To this must be added the losses caused 
by the sinking of ships by German submarines during the 
first three years of the war. More than eighteen million 
soldiers were wounded, many so severely as to be permanently 
disabled. About sixty thousand Americans were killed, and 
two hundred thousand wounded, during the nineteen months 
that this government was engaged in the war. France lost 
more men than any other country in proportion to popula¬ 
tion. In actual numbers, however, Russia and Germany 
lost much more. The total cost of the war, in money, was 
two hundred billion dollars. The cost to the United States 
was twenty billion dollars, exclusive of about eight billion 
which our government loaned to the Allies. 

597. After the War; the High Cost of Living. — The high 
cost of living caused by sending food, clothing, munitions of 
war, and other necessaries to Europe continued after the 
close of the war. Clothing, shoes, coal, food, and rent doubled 
in cost. This condition caused great unrest and dissatisfac¬ 
tion among the people of the United States, and charges of 
“ profiteering ” and extortion were freely made. The rise in 
the cost of milk in the great cities, especially, was unprece¬ 
dented. The cost of this necessity of life was extortionate 
and called for public investigation. 

598. Labor Troubles ; Strikes. — During the year follow¬ 
ing the signing of the armistice there were many strikes 
throughout the country. A federal industrial conference be¬ 
tween representatives of capital and labor held at Washington 
endeavored to settle the labor troubles. At this conference 
unavailing attempts were made to settle the steel strike called 
by labor union leaders in different sections of the country 


THE UNITED STATES ENTERS THE WAR 421 


(October, 1919). At the beginning of cold weather, another 
serious situation was caused by the strike of workers in the 
coal mines, which required federal intervention to settle. 
There were many strikes by railroad workers, and also by the 
employees of transportation lines in the large cities. 

599. The Boston Police Strike. — The unsuccessful strike 
of the police force of Boston was that of an entire body of 
municipal employees, whose sworn duty it was to protect 
life and property and guard against crime. This strike was 
denounced by President Wilson and by Governor Coolidge 
of Massachusetts, who handled the situation without compro¬ 
mise. Underlying it was the issue between control of the 
police by the labor unions or by constituted government. 
In this strike the fundamental issue was Americanism. Gov¬ 
ernor Coolidge spoke as an American when he said, “ There 
is no right to strike against the public safety, by anybody, 
any time, anywhere.” 

600. The Death of a Great American. — Colonel Theodore 
Roosevelt, ex-President of the United States, died January 6, 
1919, at his home in Oyster Bay, Long Island. In his death, 
during the critical after-war period of unrest and national 
readjustment, the country has suffered a severe loss. Before 
succeeding to the Presidency, upon the death of President 
McKinley in September, 1901, Colonel Roosevelt had held 
municipal, state, and federal offices, which he administered 
with courage, untiring energy, and great sagacity. He was a 
many-sided man, always a student, and also naturalist, author, 
soldier, explorer, and statesman. He emphasized national 
“ preparedness.” He believed in unadulterated, unhyphen¬ 
ated Americanism, under one law, one flag, and one language. 

601. The American Legion. — At Minneapolis, on the first 
anniversary of armistice day, the American Legion was 


422 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


formed, composed of men who wore our uniform and followed 
our flag in the World War. They adopted a preamble and 
constitution. Among the declarations made by this body was 
that the management of our government, and the interpre¬ 
tation of our Constitution, are the duties of American citizens 
only. Its preamble is as follows: 

“ For God and country we associate ourselves together 
for the following purpose: To uphold and defend the 
Constitution of the United States of America; to main¬ 
tain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one 
hundred per cent Americanism; to preserve the memo¬ 
ries and incidents of our association in the great War; 
to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the com¬ 
munity, state and nation; to make right the master of 
might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to 
safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of 
justice, freedom, and democracy; to consecrate and 
sanctify our comradeship by our own devotion to mutual 
helpfulness.” 

It is believed that this organization will be a great force 
to combat the un-American doctrines advocated by those 
attempting to destroy our government and its Constitution. 

602. A Nation-wide Movement for Americanization. — 
One of the greatest problems confronting the American 
people to-day is the defeat of the attempt by a large element 
of our foreign population to show disrespect for our laws and 
contempt for the institutions of our country and its flag. 
Many of these undesirable citizens are endeavoring to make it 
appear that this country is no longer the land of the free. 
There is a widespread movement throughout our land to 
combat these forces of evil. The schools of the country 
have devoted much time to the Americanization of its chil¬ 
dren. Beginning with the anniversary of armistice day in 


THE UNITED STATES ENTERS THE WAR 423 

all the five hundred sixty schools of New York City elaborate 
pageants were presented. These were intensely patriotic in 
character and showed the marvelous growth of democratic 
government since its foundation in America, three hundred 
years ago. 

603. The Bolsheviki. — Upon the revolution in Russia in 
1917, the extreme Socialists, later known as the Bolsheviki, 
gained control of the government. The leaders in this move¬ 
ment were Trotsky and Lenine. Their radical doctrines 
spread in some of the countries of Europe and appeared in 
the United States. Our government is now trying a new 
remedy to prevent the spread of extreme radical and anar¬ 
chistic doctrines by those who have come to this country as 
emigrants and seek to destroy our government. This remedy 
is the deportation of these “ undesirables,” the first of whom, 
249 in number, were placed upon the army transport Buford 
and shipped to a foreign port. 

604. Distinguished Visitors from England and Belgium. — 
Notable among distinguished visitors to this country in the 
latter part of 1919 was Cardinal Mercier of Belgium, who had 
taken a firm stand against German demands during the dev¬ 
astation of his country by the Huns. The visit of this emi¬ 
nent churchman made a marked impression and he received 
degrees from a number of American universities. 

The Prince of Wales, after an extended tour in Canada, 
also became our guest, visiting among other places New York, 
West Point, and Washington. The arrival in this country of 
King Albert and Queen Elizabeth of Belgium, accompanied by 
their son, was very pleasing to the American people. During 
the latter part of 1922 the former premier, Clemenceau, visited 
this country and was enthusiastically received by our citizens. 
He spoke to large audiences in various cities, upon conditions 


424 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


among the countries of Europe. The coming of all these 
noted personages did a great deal to strengthen the friendly 
relations already existing between our government and those 
of the respective countries which they represented. 

605. The Presidential Election of 1920. — In the Presi¬ 
dential campaign of 1920, the Republican National Conven¬ 
tion met at Chicago early in June. The delegates to this 
convention nominated Warren G. Harding, United States 
Senator from Ohio, for President, and Calvin Coolidge, 
Governor of Massachusetts, for Vice-President. 

The delegates of the Democratic National Convention 
assembled at San Francisco, June 28, 1920. They nominated 
for President James M. Cox, Governor of Ohio, and for Vice- 
President Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York, Assistant 
Secretary of the Navy. In the election the Republican party 
was successful. 

606. Treaty with Germany. — A final treaty of peace 
with Germany was signed in Berlin, August 25, 1921, by the 
American Peace Commissioner and the German Minister for 
Foreign Affairs. This treaty as well as separate treaties with 
Austria and Hungary were ratified by the Senate, October 
18, 1921. 

It is provided in the treaty with Germany, among other 
things, that our government shall not be bound by any action 
taken by the League of Nations or by the Council or by the 
Assembly thereof, unless the United States shall expressly 
give its assent to such action. 

607. Disarmament. — To avert, if possible, future wars, 
a “conference for the Limitation of Armament” was held in 
Washington Nov. n, 1921. Secretary Hughes presided at 
this conference and proposed that the United States, Great 
Britain, and Japan join in an agreement to stop work on 


THE UNITED STATES ENTERS THE WAR 425 

battleships under construction, and to dismantle or destroy 
old ships. This arrangement was agreed to by treaties among 
the countries concerned. 

608. Labor Troubles. — A recurrence of labor troubles 
and strikes took place in 1922. During the summer there 
were railroad strikes in various parts of the country, which 
delayed transportation and caused much inconvenience. 
Strikes also occurred in the coal-mining regions. 

609. The European Reparations Conference. — An effort 
to settle the question of reparation to be paid by Germany 
as war damages to France and Great Britain was made at 
a conference held in London, December 9, 1922. The con¬ 
ference was attended by the Prime Ministers of Great Britain, 
France, Italy, and Belgium. After a three days’ session no 
agreement was reached and an adjournment was taken to 
January 2, 1923, when the members of the conference met at 
Paris. At this meeting also no agreement was reached. This 
failure to agree may have considerable effect upon the final 
arrangement for the payment of the war debt due the United 
States. 

610. A Forecast. — The United States, now the leading 
power of the world, has done more for world advancement 
than any other nation. The influence of the United States 
will hereafter be tremendous and potent for good. Our boys 
and girls are destined to live in a period of greater opportunity 
than their forefathers ever knew. To create and maintain 
world leadership, and to insure the respect of all governments 
and countries, will require greater patriotic effort and larger 
sacrifice than ever before demanded. The United States will, 
perhaps, in the near future, have a great share in shaping and 
controlling the destiny of the world. Those who are now boys 
and girls will, in a few years, control the United States and 


426 


AMERICAN HISTORY 


determine the part that our government shall take in great 
world affairs. 


SUMMARY 

1. Declaration of Congress, April 6, 1917. 

2. Revolution in Russia. 

3. Trench warfare. 

4. The need of ships. 

5. Increased industry. 

6. Government control of railroads. 

7. The food problem. 

8. The military training camps. 

9. The selective draft. Liberty bonds. 

10. General Pershing in command of the American forces. 

11. How the women helped. 

12. The great German drive. 

13. The supreme command given to General Foch. 

14. Further movements of the German forces. 

15. Chateau-Thierry. 

16. The second battle of the Marne. The turning point. 

17. Advance of the allied armies. 

18. The Argonne Forest. 

19. The drive on the center. 

20. The Hindenburg line smashed. 

21. The fighting in other sections. 

22. An exchange of diplomatic notes. 

23. President Wilson’s “ Fourteen Points.” 

24. The Armistice. 

25. The Conference at Paris. 

26. What the war had cost. 

27. Conditions after the war. 

28. Labor troubles. Strikes. 

29. The Boston Police Strike. 

30. The death of a great American. 

31. The American Legion. 

32. A nation-wide movement for Americanization. 

33. The Bolsheviki. 

34. Distinguished visitors from England and Belgium. 

35. The purchase of the Virgin Islands. 


THE UNITED STATES ENTERS THE WAR 427 


QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW 

1. When was a state of war declared between this country and Germany? 

2. What was the cause of the Russian revolution in 1917 ? 

3. Describe trench warfare. 

4. Name some of the methods of our government for the prompt and effective 

carrying on of the war. 

5. How was the training of soldiers provided for ? 

6. How did the women help during the war ? 

7. Describe the German movements in March, 1918. 

8. What were some of the military events of the summer of 1918? 

9. Name the principal military movements of September and October, 1918. 

10. What were some of the military movements in other parts of Europe ? 

11. When was the Armistice granted? What were its conditions ? 

12. What was accomplished by the conference at Paris? 

13. What action was first taken by the United States Senate on the Treaty 

and League of Nations Covenant? 

14. What was the cost of the war in money, lives, and property ? 

15. What were the conditions in this country immediately after the war? 

16. Name some movements toward Americanization. 

17. Who were the Bolsheviki ? 

18. What distinguished visitors from abroad came to this country in 1919? 

19. What islands were purchased in 1917 from Denmark? What is their 

strategic importance ? 





















































































































I 







APPENDIX 

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 
In Congress, July 4, 1776 

A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States 
of America, in Congress Assembled 

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one 
people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with 
another, and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate 
and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God 
entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that 
they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. 

We hold these truths to be self-evident — that all men are created 
equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable 
rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 
That, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, 
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that, 
whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, 
it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new 
government laying its foundations on such principles, and organizing 
its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect 
their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that gov¬ 
ernments long established should not be changed for light and tran¬ 
sient causes; and, accordingly, all experience hath shown that mankind 
are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right 
themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. 
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably 
the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute des¬ 
potism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, 
and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been 
the patient sufferance of these colonies, and such is now the necessity 
which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. 
The history of the present king of Great Britain is a history of repeated 


1 


APPENDIX 


• • 

11 

injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment 
of an absolute tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts be 
submitted to a candid world. 

1. He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and 
necessary for the public good. 

2. He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and 
pressing importance, unless suspended in their operations till his 
assent should be obtained and, when so suspended, he has utterly 
neglected to attend to them. 

3. He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of 
large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the 
right of representation in the Legislature — a right inestimable to 
them, and formidable to tyrants only. 

4. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, un¬ 
comfortable, and distant from the repository of their public records, 
for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. 

5. He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing, 
with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people. 

6. He has refused, for a long time after such dissolutions, to cause 
others to be elected, whereby the legislative powers, incapable of 
annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; 
the State remaining, in the meantime, exposed to all the dangers of 
invasions from without, and convulsions within. 

7. He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; 
for that purpose obstructing the laws for the naturalization of foreign¬ 
ers; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and 
raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands. 

8. He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing 
his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers. 

9. He has made judges dependent on his will alone for the tenure 
of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. 

10. He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither 
swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance. 

11 . He has kept among us in times of peace, standing armies, with¬ 
out the consent of our Legislatures. 

12. He has affected to render the military independent of, and 
superior to, the civil power. 

13. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction 
foreign to our constitutions, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving 
his assent to their acts of pretended legislation; 

14. For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us; 


DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 


m 


15. For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punishment for any 
murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these States; 

16. For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world; 

17. For imposing taxes on us without our consent; 

18. For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of a trial by 
jury; 

19. For transporting us beyond seas, to be tried for pretended 
offenses; 

20. For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighbor¬ 
ing province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and en¬ 
larging its boundaries, so as to render it at once an example and fit 
(instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies; 

21. For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable 
laws, and altering, fundamentally, the forms of our governments; 

22. For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves 
invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. 

23. He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his 
protection, and waging war against us. 

24. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our 
towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. 

25. He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mer¬ 
cenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, al¬ 
ready begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paral¬ 
leled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a 
civilized nation. 

26. He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive on the 
high seas, to bear arms against their country, to become the execu¬ 
tioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their 
hands. 

27. He has excited domestic insurrection among us, and has en¬ 
deavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless 
Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished 
destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions. 

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in 
the most humble terms; our repeated petitions have been answered 
only by repeated injury. A prince whose character is thus marked by 
every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free 
people. 

Nor have we been wanting in our attentions to our British brethren. 
We have warned them, from time to time, of attempts by their legis¬ 
latures to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have 


IV 


APPENDIX 


reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement 
here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, 
and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to dis¬ 
avow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our con¬ 
nections and correspondence. They, too, have been deaf to the voice 
of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the 
necessity which denounces our separation, and hold them as we hold 
the rest of mankind —enemies in war; in peace, friends. 

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America 
in general Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the 
world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the 
authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and 
declare that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free 
and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to 
the British crown, and that all political connection between them and 
the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved, and 
that, as free and independent States, they have full power to levy war, 
conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all 
other acts and things which independent States may of right do. And 
for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the pro¬ 
tection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our 
lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. 


APPENDIX 


THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 

Preamble 

We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect 
union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the com¬ 
mon defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty 
to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution 
for the United States of America. 

ARTICLE I. The Legislative Department 
Section I. Congress in General 

All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the 
United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representa¬ 
tives. 

Section II. House of Representatives 

1st Clause. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members 
chosen every second year by the people of the several States, and the elec¬ 
tors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the 
most numerous branch of the State legislature. 

2d Clause. No person shall be a representative who shall not have 
attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen 
of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of 
that State in which he shall be chosen. 

3d Clause. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among 
the several States which may be included within this Union, according to 
their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole 
number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, 
and, excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The 
actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting 
of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of 
ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of rep- 

V 


VI 


APPENDIX 


resentatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each State 
shall have at least one representative; and until such enumeration shall be 
made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three, Massa¬ 
chusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut 
five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, 
Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and 
Georgia three. 

4th Clause. When vacancies happen in the representation from any State, 
the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacan¬ 
cies. 

5th Clause. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and 
other officers; and shall have the sole power of impeachment. 

Section III. The Senate. 

1st Clause. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two 
senators from each State, shosen by the legislature thereof, for six years; 
and each senator shall have one vote. 

2d Clause. Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of 
the first election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three 
classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated at the 
expiration of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the 
fourth year, and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so 
that one-third may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen 
by resignation, or otherwise, during the recess of the legislature of any 
State, the executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the 
next meeting of the legislature, which shail then fill such vacancies. 

3d Clause. No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to 
the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, 
and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State for which 
he shall be chosen. 

4th Clause. The Vice-President of the United States shall be President 
of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. 

5th Clause. The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a Presi¬ 
dent pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice-President, or when he shall 
exercise the office of President of the United States. 

6th Clause. The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. 
When sitting for that purpose, they shall all be on oath or affirmation. 
WTien the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall 
preside; and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two- 
thirds of the members present. 


CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 


Vll 


7th Clause. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further 
than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any 
office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States; but the party con¬ 
victed shall nevertheless be liab e and subject to indictment,trial, judgment, 
and punishment, according to law. 

Section IV. Both Houses. 

1st Clause. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for sen¬ 
ators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the legis¬ 
lature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter such 
regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators. 

2d Clause. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and 
such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall 
by law appoint a different day. 

Section V. The Houses Separately. 

1st Clause. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and 
qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute 
a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to 
day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, 
in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide. 

2d Clause. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish 
its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two- 
thirds, expel a member. 

3d Clause. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from 
time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in their judg¬ 
ment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house 
on any question shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered 
on the journal. 

4th Clause. Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, without 
the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other 
place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. 

Section VI. Privileges and Disabilities of Members. 

1st Clause. The senators and representatives shall receive a compen¬ 
sation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treas¬ 
ury of the United States. They shall, in all cases except treason, felony 
and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance 
at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and returning fi om 


Vlll 


APPENDIX 


the same; and for any speech or debate in either house, they shall not be 
questioned in any other place. 

2d Clause. No senator or representative shall, during the time for which 
he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the 
United States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof 
shall have been increased during such time; and no person holding any 
office under the United States shall be a member of either house during his 
continuance in office. 

Section VII. Mode of passing Laws. 

1st Clause. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of 
Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments 
as on other bills. 

2d Clause. Every bill which shall have passed the House of Representa¬ 
tives and the Senate shall, before it become a law, be presented to the 
President of the United States; if he approve he shall sign it, but if not he 
shall return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have 
originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and 
proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration two-thirds of that 
house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objec¬ 
tions, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if 
approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But in all 
such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, 
and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered 
on the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned 
by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have 
been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had 
signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in 
which case it shall not be a law. 

3d Clause. Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence 
of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a 
question of adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United 
States; and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or 
being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the Senate 
and House of Representatives, according to the rules and limitations pre¬ 
scribed in the case of a bill. 


I 


CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 


IX 


Section VIII. Powers granted io Congress. 

The Congress shall have power— 

1st Clause. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to 
pay the debts, and provide for the common defence and general welfare of 
the United States; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform 
throughout the United States; 

2d Clause. To borrow money on the credit of the United States; 

3d Clause. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the 
several States, and with the Indian tribes; 

4th Clause. To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform 
laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States; 

5th Clause. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign 
coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures; 

6th Clause. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities 
and current coin of the United States; 

7th Clause. To establish post-offices and post-roads: 

8th Clause. To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by secur¬ 
ing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their 
respective writings and discoveries; 

9th Clause. To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court; 

10th Clause. To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the 
high seas, and offences against the law of nations; 

11th Clause. To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and 
make rules concerning captures on land and water; 

12th Clause. To raise and support armies; but no appropriation of money 
to that use shall be for a longer term than two years; 

13th Clause. To provide and maintain a navy; 

ll^th Clause. To make rules for the government and regulation of the 
land and naval forces; 

15th Clause. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws 
of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions; 

16th Clause. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the 
militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the 
service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively the 
appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia accord¬ 
ing to the discipline prescribed by Congress; 

17th Clause. To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, 
over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of 
particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the 
Government of the United States; and to exercise like authority over all 


X 


APPENDIX 


places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the State in which the 
same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, 
and other needful buildings;—and 

18th Clause. To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for 
carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested 
by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any 
department or officer thereof. 

Section IX. Powers denied to the United States. 

1st Clause. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the 
States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by 
the Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a 
tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars 
for each person. 

2d Clause. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be sus¬ 
pended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may 
require it. 

3d Clause. No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. 

4th Clause. No capitation, or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in pro¬ 
portion to the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed to be taken. 

5th Clause. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any 
State. 

6th Clause. No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce 
or revenue to the ports of one State over those of another; nor shall vessels 
bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in 
another. 

7th Clause. No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in conse¬ 
quence of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account 
of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from 
time to time. 

8th Clause. No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States; 
and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them shall, with¬ 
out the consent of Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or 
title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign State. 

Section X. Powers denied to the States. 

1st Clause. No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confedera¬ 
tion; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; 
make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts; pass 


CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 


XI 


any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of con¬ 
tracts, or grant any title of nobility. 

2d Clause. No State shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any 
imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely 
necessary for executing its inspection laws; and the net produce of all duties 
and imposts, laid by any State on imports or exports, shall be for the use 
of the treasury of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to the 
revision and control of the Congress. 

3d Clause. No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty 
of tonnage, keep troops, or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any 
agreement or compact with another State or with a foreign power, or engage 
in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not 
admit of delay. 

ARTICLE II. The Executive Department. 

Section I. President and Vice-President. 

1st Clause. The executive power shall be vested in a President of the 
United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four 
years, and, together with the Vice-President, chosen for the same term, be 
elected as follows: 

2d Clause. Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature 
thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of sen¬ 
ators and representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress. 
But no senator or representative, or person holding an office of trust or 
profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector. 

[The 3d clause has been superseded by the 12th article of Amendments. 
See page xix.] 

Jflh Clause. The Congress may determine the time of choosing the elec¬ 
tors, and the day on which they shall give their votes, which day shall be 
the same throughout the United States. 

5th Clause. No person except a natural-born citizen, or a citizen of the 
United States at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be 
eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to 
that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and 
been fourteen years a resident within the United States. 

6th Clause. In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his 
death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the 
said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice-President; and the Congress 
may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inability, 


XII 


APPENDIX 


both of the President and Vice-President, declaring what officer shall then 
act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability 
be removed, or a President shall be elected. 

7th Clause. The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services 
a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the 
period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within 
that period any other emolument from the United States, or any of them. 

8th Clause. Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take 
the following oath or affirmation:— 

“ I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office 
of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, pre¬ 
serve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” 

Section II. Powers of the President. 

1st Clause. The President shall be commander-in-chief of the army and 
navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several States, when 
called into the actual service of the United States; he may require the opin¬ 
ion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, 
upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he 
shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the 
United States, except in cases of impeachment. 

2d Clause. He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of 
the Senate, to make treaties, provided two-thirds of the senators present 
concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of 
the Senate, shall appoint, ambassadors, other public ministers and con¬ 
suls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States, 
whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall 
be established by law; but the Congress may by law vest the appointment 
of such inferior officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the 
courts of law, or in the heads of departments. 

3d Clause. The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that 
may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions, 
which shall expire at the end of their next session. 

Section III. Duties of the President. 

He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state 
of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he 
shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions 
convene both houses or either of them, and in case of disagreement be¬ 
tween them with resoect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them 


CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 


Xlll 


to such time as he shall think proper; he shall receive ambassadors and other 
public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and 
shall commission all the officers of the United States. 

Section IV. Impeachment of the President. 

The President, Vice-President, and all civil officers of the United States, 
shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and eonvietion of, treason, 
bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. 

ARTICLE III. The Judicial Department. 

Section I. The United States Courts. 

The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme 
Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time 
ordain and establish. The judges, both of the Supreme and inferior courts, 
shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, at stated times, 
receive for their services a compensation, which shall not be diminished 
during their continuance in office. 

Section II. Jurisdiction of the United Slates Courts. 

1st Clause. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity 
arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties 
n ade, or which shall be made, under their authority; to all cases affecting 
ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls; to all cases of admiralty 
and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to which the United States shall 
be a party; to controversies between two or more States; between a State 
and citizens of another State; between citizens of different States; between 
citizens of the same State claiming lands under grants of different States, 
and between a State, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens, or 
subjects. 

2d Clause. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and 
consuls, and those in which a State shall be a party, the Supreme Court 
shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, 
the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, 
with such exceptions and under such regulations as the Congress shall make. 

3d Clause. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall 
be by jury; and such trial shall be held in the State where the said crimes 
shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, 
the trial shall be at such place or places as the Congress may by law have 
directed. 


XIV 


APPENDIX 


Section III. Treason. 

1st Clause. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying 
war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and com¬ 
fort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of 
two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court. 

2d Clause. The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of 
treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or for¬ 
feiture except during the life of the person attainted. 

ARTICLE IV. Miscellaneous Provisions. 

Section I. State Records. 

Full faith and 'redit shall be given in each State to the public acts, 
records, and judicial A roceedings of every other State. And the Congress 
may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and 
proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. 

Section II. Privileges of Citizens. 

1st Clause. The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges 
and immunities of citizens in the several States. 

2d Clause. A person charged in any State with treason, felony, or other 
crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another State, shall, on 
demand of the executive authority of the State from which he fled, be 
delivered up, to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime. 

3d Clause. No person held to service or labor in one State, under the 
laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or 
regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be 
delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due. 

/ 

Section III. New States and Territories. 

1st Clause. New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; 
but no new State shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any 
other State; nor any State be formed by the junction of two or more States 
or parts of States, without the consent of the legislatures of the States 
concerned as well as of the Congress. 

2d Clause. The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all 
needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property 
belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be 
so construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States or of any partic¬ 
ular State. 


CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 


xv 


Section IV. Guarantees to the States. 

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a repub¬ 
lican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; 
and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legis¬ 
lature cannot be convened), against domestic violence. 

ARTICLE V. Powers of Amendment. 

The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, 
diall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of 
the legislatures of two-thirds of the several States, shall call a convention 
for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid, to all intents 
and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures 
of three-fourths of the several States, or by conventions in three-fourths 
thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the 
Congress: provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the 
year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the 
first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no 
State, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the 
Senate. 

ARTICLE VI. Public Debt, Supremacy of the Constitution, Oath 

of Office, Religious Test. 

1st Clause. All debts contracted and engagements entered into before the 
adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States 
under this Constitution, as under the Confederation. 

2d Clause. This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which 
shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or which shall be 
made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law 
of the land; and the judges in every State shall be bound thereby, anything 
in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding. 

3d Clause. The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the 
members of the several State legislatures, and all executive and judicial 
officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound 
by oath or affirmation to support this Constitution; but no religious test 
shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under 
the United States. 


XVI 


APPENDIX 


ARTICLE VII. Ratification of the Constitution. 

The ratification of the conventions of nine States shall be sufficient for 
the establishment of this Constitution between tne States so ratifying the 
same. 

AMENDMENTS 

PROPOSED BY CONGRESS AND RATIFIED BY THE LEGISLATURES OF THE SEVERAL 
STATES, PURSUANT TO THE FIFTH ARTICLE OF THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION. 

Article I. Freedom of Religion. 

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or 
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or 
of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition 
the government for a redress of grievances. 

Article II. Right to hear Arms. 

A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, 
the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. 

Article III. Quartering Soldiers on Citizens. 

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the 
consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be prescribed 
by law. 

Article IV. Search Warrants. 

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, 
and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be vio¬ 
lated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by 
oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, 
and the persons or things to be seized. 

Article V. Trial for Crime. 

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous 
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases 
arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service 
in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the 
same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be com¬ 
pelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived 
of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor shall private 
property be taken for public use without just compensation. 


CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES xvii 


Article VI. Rights of Accused Persons. * 

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy 
and public trial by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the 
crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously 
ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the aucc- 
sation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compul¬ 
sory process for obtaining -witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance 
of counsel for his defence. 

Article VII. Suits at Common Law. 

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed 
twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact 
tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United 
States than according to the rules of the common law. 

Article VIII. Excessive Bail. 

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor 
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

Article IX. Rights Retained by the People. 

The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be con¬ 
strued to deny or disparage others retained by the people. 

Article X. Reserved Rights of the States. 

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor 
prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to 
the people. 

Article XI. 

The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend 
to any suit, in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the 
United States by citizens of another State, or by citizens or subjects of 
any foreign state. 

Article XII. 

1st Clause. The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote 
by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not 
be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves; they shall name in their 
ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person 
voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons 


XV111 


APPENDIX 


voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and 
of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and 
transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed 
to the President of the Senate; the President of the Senate shall, in presence 
of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and 
the votes shall then be counted; the person having the greatest number of 
votes for President shall be the President, if such number be a majority of 
the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have such major¬ 
ity, then from the persons having the highest numbers, not exceeding three 
on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives 
shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the 
President, the votes shall be taken by States, the representation from each 
State having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member 
or members from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States 
shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall 
not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon 
them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-Presi¬ 
dent shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other consti¬ 
tutional disability of the President. 

2d Clause. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice- 
President shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the 
whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have a majority, then 
from the two highest numbers on the list the Senate shall choose the Vice- 
President ; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole 
number of senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary 
to a choice. 

3d Clause. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of Presi¬ 
dent shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. 

Article XIII. 

Section I. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punish¬ 
ment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall 
exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. 

Sec. II. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate 
legislation. 

Article XIV. 

Section I. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and 
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of 
the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law 
which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United 


CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES xix 


States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, 
without due process of law, nor deny any person within its jurisdiction the 
equal protection of the laws. 

Sec. II. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States 
according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of per¬ 
sons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to 
vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-Presi¬ 
dent of the United States, representatives in Congress, the executive and 
judicial officers of a State, or the members of the legislature thereof, is 
denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one 
years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, 
except for participation in rebellion or other crime, the basis of representa¬ 
tion therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such 
male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one 
years of age in such State. 

Sec. III. No person shall be a senator or representative in Congress, or 
elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, 
under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken 
an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or 
as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer 
of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have 
engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or com¬ 
fort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds 
of each house, remove such disability. 

Sec. IV. The validity of the public debt of the United States, author¬ 
ized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties 
for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. 
But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt 
or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United 
States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such 
debts, obligations, and claims shall be held illegal and void. 

Sec. V. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legis¬ 
lation, the provisions of this article. 

Article XV. 

Section I. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not 
be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any State, on account of 
race, color, or previous condition of servitude. 

Sec. II. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appro¬ 
priate legislation. 


XX 


u... 


APPENDIX 


Article XVI. 

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, 
from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several 
States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. 

Article XVII. 

Section I. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two 
Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; 
and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall 
have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch 
of the State Legislatures. 

Sec. II. When vacancies happen in the representation of any State 
in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of 
election to fill such vacancies: Provided that the Legislature of any State 
may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments 
until the people fill the vacancies by election as the Legislature may direct. 

Sec. III. This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the 
election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of 
the Constitution. 


Article XVIII. 

Section I. After one year from the ratification of this article, the 
manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the 
importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from, the United 
States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof, for beverage 
purposes, is hereby prohibited. 

Sec. II. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent 
power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. 

Sec. III. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been 
ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the 
several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from 
the date of the submission thereof to the States by the Congress. 

Article XIX. 

• i * » 

Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not 
be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account 
of sex. 

Sect. 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by 
appropriate legislation. 


DATE OF ADMISSION OF THE STATES 


1. Delaware . 




Dec. 

7, 1787 

2. Pennsylvania 



a 

Dec. 

12, 1787 

3. New Jersey . 



• rH 

Dec. 

18, 1787 

4. Georgia. 



-M 

Jan. 

2, 1788 

5. Connecticut 



.W 

Jan. 

9, 1788 

6. Massachusetts . . 



0 

Feb. 

6, 1788 

7. Maryland . 




April 

28, 1788 

8. South Carolina . 



ri 

r —* 

May 

23, 1788 

9. New Hampshire . 




June 

21, 1788 

10. Virginia . 



0> 

June 

25, 1788 

11. New York . 



• H 

-4-> 

* c3 

.Ph 

July 

26, 1788 

12. North Carolina 



Nov. 

21, 1789 

13. Rhode Island . .. . 




May 

29, 1790 

14. Vermont . 




. March 

4, 1791 

15. Kentucky . 




. June 

1, 1792 

16. Tennessee . 




. June 

1, 1796 

17. Ohio . 




. Feb. 

19, 1803 

18. Louisiana . 




. April 

8, 1812 

19. Indiana . 




. Dec. 

11, 1816 

20. Mississippi . 




. Dec. 

10, 1817 

21. Illinois . 




Dec. 

3, 1818 

22. Alabama . 




. Dec. 

14, 1819 

23. Maine . 




. March 15, 1820 

24. Missouri . 




• Aug. 

10, 1821 

25. Arkansas . 




. June 

15, 1836 

26. Michigan . 




. Jan. 

26, 1837 

27. Florida. 




. March 

3, 1845 

28. Texas. 




. Dec. 

29, 1845 

29. Iowa . 




. Dec. 

28, 1846 

30. Wisconsin . 




. May 

29, 1848 

31. California. 




. Sept. 

9, 1850 

32. Minnesota . 




May 

11, 1858 

33. Oregon . 




Feb. 

14, 1859 

34. Kansas. 




Jan. 

29, 1861 

35. West Virginia . . 




June 

19, 1863 

36. Nevada . 




Oct. 

31, 1864 

37. Nebraska . 




March 

1, 1867 

38. Colorado . 




Aug. 

1, 1876 

39. North Dakota 




Nov. 

3, 1889 

40. South Dakota 




Nov. 

3, 1889 

41. Montana. 




Nov. 

8, 1889 

42. Washington .... 




Nov. 

11, 1889 

43. Idaho . 




July 

3, 1890 

44. Wyoming . 




July 

10, 1890 

45. Utah. 

/tH OlTT. A TTCA/T A . 




Jan. 

Nov. 

4, 1896 
16, 1907 

47. New Mexico. 




Jan. 

6, 1912 

48. Arizona. 




Feb. 

14, 1912 


XXI 



















































LIST OF PRESIDENTS 


1789-1797 

1797-1801 

1801-1809 

1809-1817 

1817-1825 

1825-1829 

1829-1837 

1837-1841 

1841 

1841-1845 

1845-1849 

1849- 1850 

1850- 1853 
1853-1857 
1857-1861 
1861-1865 
1865-1869 
1869-1877 
1877-1881 
1881 

1881-1885 

1885-1889 

1889-1893 

1893-1897 

1897-1901 

1901-1909 

1909-1913 

1913- 


George Washington of Virginia 
John Adams of Massachusetts 
Thomas Jefferson of Virginia 
James Madison of Virginia 
James Monroe of Virginia 
John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts 
Andrew Jackson of Tennessee 
Martin Van Buren of New York 
William H. Harrison of Ohio 
John Tyler of Virginia 
James K. Polk of Tennessee 
Zachary Taylor of Louisiana 
Millard Fillmore of New York 
Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire 
James Buchanan of Pennsylvania 
Abraham Lincoln of Illinois 
Andrew Johnson of Tennessee 
Ulysses S. Grant of Illinois 
Rutherford B. Hayes of Ohio 
James A. Garfield of Ohio 
Chester A. Arthur of New York 
Grover Cleveland of New York 
Benjamin Harrison of Indiana 
Grover Cleveland of New York 
William McKinley of Ohio 
Theodore Roosevelt of New York 
William H. Taft of Ohio 
Woodrow Wilson of New Jersey 


XXII 


indp:x 


Abercrombie, General, 173 

Acadians, The, 172 

Adams, John, 196, 224, 236, 245-247 

Adams, John Quincy, 269, 288 

Adams, Samuel, 190 

Aerial Navigation, 359 

Aguinaldo, 353 

Alabama, 265 

Alabama, The, 313, 314 

Alabama Claims, The, 341 

Alaska, 338, 354 

Alaskan Boundary Line, The, 354 
Albemarle, Duke of, 149 
Algiers, 248 

Algonquins, The, 50, 51, 66, 73, 102 
Alien Act, The, 245 
Allen, Colonel Ethan, 198 
Alliance, The Holy, 267 
Amendment, Thirteenth, 324, 329, 333, 
338; Fourteenth, 334, 336, 339; Fif¬ 
teenth, 338, 339; Sixteenth, 357, 358; 
Seventeenth, 363 

Amendments, Constitutional, 238, 239 
American Battleship Fleet, The, 355, 356 
American Republics, 347 
Amherst, General, 173, 174 
Amidas, Philip, 42 
Amnesty Act, 342 
Amnesty Proclamation, 333 
Amsterdam, New, 101, 104, 107, 108, 109, 
no, in 

Anderson, Major, 297 
Andre, Major, 217, 218 
Andros, Edmund, 112, 136 
Antietam, 310 
Annapolis, 186 
Anne, Queen, 82, 137 
Appomattox Court House, 327 
Argali, Samuel, 89 
Arizona, 347, 359 
Arkansas, 275 

Armada, The Spanish, 42, 44 
Army, The Continental, 193 


Arnold, Benedict, 198, 212, 217, 221 

Arthur, Chester A., 345 

Articles of Confederation, 202, 228, 229 

Assembly, The General, 90, in 

Atlanta, The Capture of, 323 

Atlantic Cable, The, 362 

Ay lion, Vasquez de, 31 

Aztecs, The, 23, 24, 25, 26, 59, 60 

Bacon’s Rebellion, 97, 98 

Bainbridge, Captain, 255, 257 

Balboa, Vasco Nunez de, 22, 23 

Baltimore, Attack on, 260 

Baltimore, The City of, 139, 143 

Bank of the United States, 241, 274, 275 

Banking, 240 

Barbary Pirates, The, 262 

Barbary States, The, 248 

Barlow, Arthur, 42 

Beauregard, General, 299, 304 

Bennington, Battle of, 211 

Berkeley, Sir William, 94, 98 

Block, Adrian, 103, 154 

Blockade of the South, The, 298, 299, 307 

Bobadilla, 16 

Bonaparte, Napoleon, 260 

Bon Homme Richard, The, 218, 219 

Booth, John Wilkes, 332 

Boscawen, Admiral, 168 

Boston, 124, 193 

Boston Tea Party, The, 186 

Braddock, General, 167-170 

Bradford, William, 120 

Bragg, General Braxton, 317 

Brandywine, The Battle of the, 213 

Breckenridge, General John C., 294 

Breed’s Hill, 194 

Brooklyn Bridge, The, 345 

Brown, John, 293, 294 

Bryan, William J., 349, 356 

Buchanan, James, 291 

Buell, General, 303, 304 

Buena Vista, Battle of, 283 


XXIV 


INDEX 


Bull Run, Battle of, 299, 310 
Bunker Hill, Battle of, 195 
Burgesses, The House of, 90, 91 
Burgoyne, Gen. John, 2x1 
Burke, Edmund, 189 
Burnside, Gen. A. E., 310, 320 
Burr, Aaron, 234 

Cabinet, The President’s, 237 

Cabot, John and Sebastian, 39, 40, 46,109 

Calhoun, John C., 254, 270, 273, 286, 294 

California, 284, 286, 347 

Calvert, Cecil, 140 

Calvert, George, 139 

Calvert, Leonard, 140 

Cambridge, 191, 193, 194, 197 

Camden, Battle of, 220 

Canada, 179 

Canal, The Erie, 269, 271 
Canonchet, 134, 136 
Carolinas, 148-151 
Carolinas, War, 199 
“Carpet-baggers,” The, 335 
Cartier Jacques, 46-48, 70 
Carver, John, 120 

Catholics, The, 94, 95, 117, 1x8, 139, 142, 
i 43 , 153 

Cavaliers, The, 94-96 
Cedar Creek, The Battle of, 324 
Census, The, 240, 357 
Chad’s Ford, The Battle of, 213 
Champlain, Lake, 259 
Champlain, Samuel, 49-51, 71, 74, 102 
Chancellorsville, The Battle of, 310 
Charles I, 92-94, 131, 139, 141 
Charles II, 96, no, 111, 114, 126, 12S, 
132, 136, 148 

Charleston, S. C., 150, 199, 221, 296, 326 

Charlestown, 194, 195 

Chattanooga, 317 

Chesapeake, The, 251, 258 

Chicago, 256 

Chickamauga, 317 

China, American Troops in, 352 

Chinese Immigration, 343 

Civil Rights Bill, The, 334 

Civil War, The Cost of, 328 

Claiborne’s Rebellion, 141 

Clark, George Rogers, 216 

Clay, Henry, 254, 270, 287-289 

Cleveland, Grover, 346, 348 

Cliff Dwellers, The, 58 


Clinton, Sir Henry, 215, 219 
Coinage, 240, 241 
Cold Harbor, 320 
Colonies, The American, 180 
Colorado, 342 
Columbia, S. C., 326 
Columbia, The, 129 
Columbus, Christopher, 3-18, 39, 41 
Columbus, Ky., 302 
Committees of Correspondence, 186 
Commonwealth, The, 95 
Compromise of 1850, The, 285, 286 
Concord, Battle of, 190 
Confederate States of America, The, 294, 
Confederation, The New England, 131, 
167 

Cohnecticut Colony, The, 126 
Connecticut River, The, 103, 109, 125, 132 
Congress, First Continental, 187; Second 
Continental Congress, 193 
Congress, The Stamp Act, 184 
Constitution, The, 256, 257 
Constitution of the E T nited States, The, 
228, 235 

Cook, Frederick A., 358 
Cordova, 23 
Corinth, 303 

Cornwallis, Gen. Charles, 204, 220-222 

Coronado, Francisco Vasquez de, 34, 58 

Cortes, Hernando, 23-26 

Cotton-gin, The, 242 

Cowpens, The, 221 

Crevecoeur, Fort, 77 

Cromwell, Oliver, 94-96, 131 

Crown Point, 197 

Cuba, 289, 290, 352, 353, 354 

Cumberland Road, The, 269 

Dakota, North, 347 

Dakota, South, 347 

Dale, Governor, 88 

Dare, Virginia, 44 

Davis, Jefferson, 286, 294 

Dearborn, Fort, 256 

Debt, The National, 240 

Decatur, Stephen, 248, 255 

Declaration of Independence, 200, 202 

Declaration of Rights, 184 

Deerfield, 134 

Dekalb, Baron, 220 

Delaware, Lord, 87, 88 

Delaware, The Settlement of, 147, 148 


INDEX 


XXV 


Democratic Party, The, 241, 242 
Detroit, 257, 258 
Detroit, Fort, 176, 177 
Dewey, Admiral, 351 
Diaz, Bartholomew, 3 
Dieskau, General, 167, 168, 170, 177 
Dingley Tariff, The, 350 
Dinwiddie, Governor, 164, 165 
Directory, The French, 245 
Donelson, Fort, 301, 302 
Dongan, Thomas, hi 
D ongan’s Charter, in 
Dorchester Heights, 194, 198 
Douglas, Stephen A., 292-294 
Draft, The, 307 
Draft Riot, The, 314, 315 
Drake, Sir Francis, 40-42, 44 
Dred Scott Decision, The, 291, 292 
Duquesne, Fort, 165, 166, 168, 169, 173, 
174 

Dutch West India Company, The, 55, 
103, 104 

Early, Gen. Jubal A., 322 
Education in New England, 128; Educa¬ 
tion, 162 

Edward, Fort, 211 
Elizabeth, Queen, 43, 45 
Emancipation, 312, 325 
Emanuel, King, 19, 27 
Embargo Act, The, 251, 252 
Endicott, John, 124, 129 
Enforcement Act, The, 335 
Ericsson, Captain John, 305 
Erie Canal, The, 269, 271 

Farragut, Commodore, 306, 323 
Federal Party, The, 241, 245 
Field, Cyrus W., 362 
Fillmore, Millard, 286 
Fisheries, The Newfoundland, 188 
Five Nations, The, 73, 171 
Florida, 20, 21, 33, 69, 175, 264, 280 
Florida, The, 313, 314 
Foote, Commodore, 302 
Forbes, General, 174 
Fortress Monroe, 254, 256, 263 
Franklin Benjamin, 167, 169, 200, 208- 
210, 224 

Frederick the Great, 172, 175 
Fredricksburg, The Battle of, 310 
Freedmen, The, 333 


French Republic, The, 242 
French Territory, 80, 81, 163, 164 
French and Indian War, The, 165-175 
Friar Mark, 34, 57 
Frobisher, Martin, 42 
Frolic, The, 257 
Frontenac, Fort, 75, 76, 173 
Fugitive Slave Law, The, 286 
Fulton, Robert, 148, 182, 359 

Gage, General, 187, 190 
Gama, Vasco da, 16, 70 
Garfield, James A., 332, 344 
Gates, Gen. Horatio, 213, 220 
George I, 156 ' 

George II, 151, 156, 157, 164 
George III, 183 
George, Fort, 211 
Georgia, 151-154 
Germantown, 213 
Gerry, Elbridge, 246 
Gettysburg, The Battle of, 315 
Ghent, Treaty of, 261 
Gilbert, Sir Humphrey, 42 
Gold, The Discovery of, 284, 285 
Gorges, Sir Fernando, 128 
Gosnold, Bartholomew, 116 
Governors, Royal, 92 
Grant, Gen. U. S., 302-304, 318-320, 324, 
325, 326, 327, 328, 338, 343, 341, 

Great Eastern, The, 362 

Greeley, Horace, 342 

Greene, Gen. Nathanael, 206, 220, 221 

Griffin, The First Voyage of the, 76 

Gryalva, 23 

Guam, Island of, 352 

Guerriere, The, 257 

Guilford Court House, 221 

Halifax, 199, 258 
Hale, Nathan, 203 
Hamilton, Alexander, 232, 234 
Hampton Roads, 305, 306 
Hancock, John, 190, 193 
Hancock, General W. S., 344 
Harlem, Retreat to, 203 
Harper’s Ferry, 293 
Harrison, Benjamin F., 346, 347 
Harrison, Gen. W. H., 255, 277 
Hartford, 125, 126 
Harvard College, 128 
Harvey, Sir John, 93, 94 


XXVI 


INDEX 


Havana, 175 

Hawaiian Islands, The, 350, 353, 357 
Hawkins, Sir John, 41 
Hayes, Rutherford B., 343 
Hennepin, Father, 78 
Henrietta Maria, Queen, 139 
Henry VII, 39, 40 
Henry VIII, 40 
Henry, Fort, 301, 302 
Henry, Patrick, 185, 216 
Herkimer, General, 212 
Hessians, The, 200, 205, 206, 211 
Hood, Gen. John B., 323, 324 
Hooker, Gen. Joseph, 310, 320 
Hornet, The, 258 
Houston, Gen. Samuel, 279 
Howe, Elias, 361 
Howe, Gen. George, 173 
Howe, Admiral Richard, 202 
Howe, Sir William, 199, 202, 203, 211, 212 
Hudson, Henry, 52, 53, 55 
Hudson-Fulton Celebration, The, 359 
Hudson River, The, 52, 53, 55, 101, 102 
Hudson River, Control of the, 199, 202, 
302 

Huguenots, The, 48 

Hull, Captain Isaac, 255, 256 

FIull, Gen. William, 255, 256 

Iberville, 80 
Idaho, 347 
Illinois, 265 
Immigration, 267, 287 
Impeachment of Andrew Johnson, The, 
336 

Incas, The, 31, 59 

Independence, Declaration of, 200, 202 

Indian Massacres, 96, 97 

Indians of North America, The, 60-67 

Industries, The Beginning of, 181, 236 

Inventions, 268, 359 

Iowa, 280 

Iroquois, The, 50, 51, 61, 73, 80, 102, 216 
Isabella, Queen, 6, 7, 16, 18 
Island Number Ten, 303, 304 

Jackson, Andrew, 255, 261, 264, 270, 272, 
273, 274 

Jackson, Gen. “Stonewall,” 299, 310, 
311, 321 

Jamaica, Island of, 17, 18, 144 
James I, 45, 84, 92, 94, 96, 1x8, 139, 140 


James II, 111, 112, 136, 146 
Jamestown, 84-98 
Japan, 291, 355, 357 
Japanese Commissioners, The, 355 
Java, The, 257 
Jay, John, 224 
Jay Treaty, The, 244 
Jefferson, Thomas, 245, 246, 247 
Johnson, Andrew, 324, 332, 333, 334, 335, 
336 

Johnson, Hiram W., Governor of Cali¬ 
fornia, 363 

Johnson, Sir William, 170-172, 177 
Johnston, Gen. A. L., 303 
Johnston, Gen. Jos. E., 299, 319, 325 
Joliet, Louis, 74, 76, 78 
Jones, John Paul, 218 

Kaskaskia, 216 

Kansas, 290, 291, 294, 347 

Kansas-Nebraska Act, The, 290 

Kearsarge, The, 314 

Kennebec River, The, 116 

Kent Island, 141, 142 

Kentucky, 241 

Kern, John W., 356 

Kieft, Governor, 106, 107 

King George’s War, 156, 157 

King Philip’s War, 132-136 

King William’s War, 79, 80 

King’s Mountain, The Battle of, 220, 221 

Klondike Region, The, 354 

Kosciusko, 208 

Ku Klux Klan, The, 335 

Ladrone Islands, The, 352 
Lafayette, Marquis de, 221, 222 
Lane, Sir Ralph, 43 
La Salle, 75-79 

Lawrence, Captain James, 258 
Lee, Gen. Charles, 204, 205, 215 
Lee, Fort, 204 

Lee, Gen. Robert E., 310, 316, 318, 
320-322, 325, 326, 327, 328 
Leister, Jacob, 112 
Leon, Juan Ponce de, 20, 21 
Leopard, The, 251 

Lewis and Clark Expedition, 249, 250 
Lexington, Battle of, 190 
Lincoln, Abraham, 292-294, 296, 319, 
324, 332 

London Company, The, 84, 87 


INDEX 


XXVll 


Long Island, Battle of, 203 
Lookout Mountain, Battle of, 318 
Lords of Trade, The, 182 
Louisburg, 82, 157, 172, 173, 174 
Louisiana, 78, 255 

Louisiana Purchase, The, 248, 249, 266 
Lynchburg, Va., 327 

McClellan, Gen. George B., 300, 308, 309, 
320, 324 

McCormick Reaper, The, 360 
McDonough, Commodore, 259 
McDowell, General, 299, 320 
McKinley, William, 332, 349, 350, 353 
Machinery, Labor-Saving, 360 
Madison, James, 232, 234, 252 
Magellan, Ferdinand, 27, 28, 352 
Maine, 128, 266 
Maine, The, 350 
Malvern Hill, 309 
Manhattan Island, 55, 101-104 
Manila, 351, 356 
Manufactures, 268 
Mariner’s Compass, The, 8 
Marion, Gen. Francis, 220 
Marquette, Father, 74, 76, 78 
Marshall, John, 246 

Marshall, Thomas R., Vice-President, 

364 ' 

Maryland, 94, 95, 118, 139-143 
Mason, John, 128 
Mason and Dixon’s Line, 143 
Mason and Slidell Affair, The, 300 
Massachusetts, 128 
Massachusetts Assembly, The, 185 
Massachusetts Bay Company, The, 122, 
124, 136 

Massasoit, 122, 134 
Maximilian, The Emperor, 338 
Mayflower, The, 119-12 2 
Meade, Gen. George G., 315 
Menendez, 49 
Merrimac, The, 304 
Mexican War, The, 283 
Mexico, 279, 283, 336, 338 
Mexico, The Ancient City of, 24-26 
Michigan, 275 

Military Reconstruction Law, The, 335 

Minnesota, 294 

Minuit, Peter, 104 

Minute Men, The, 188 

Missionary Ridge, 317, 318 


Mississippi, 265 

Mississippi River, The, 35, 36, 75, 78 
Mississippi River, Control of, 303 
Missouri Compromise, The, 266, 288 
Missouri Territory, 265 
Mobile, 323 

Model, The Grand, 149 
Mohegans, The, 129, 130 
Money, Colonial, 180 
Monitor, The, 305, 306 
Monmouth, Battle of, 215 
Monroe, James, 206, 264, 267, 269 
Monroe Doctrine, The, 267, 349 
Montana, 347 

Montcalm, Marquis de, 17 2-174 

Montezuma, 25 

Montgomery, Richard, 198 

Montreal, 47, 48, 174, 175 

Montreal, Attack on, 198 

Moors, The, 20 

Morgan, Gen. Daniel, 221 

Morocco, 248 

Morris, Robert, 207 

Morse, Samuel F. B., 278, 361, 362 

Mound Builders, The, 57 

Narragansetts, The, 127, 129, 134 
Narvaez, Panfilo de, 32, 33, 49 
Navigation Laws, The, 131, 159 
Navy, The New, 345 
Nebraska, 338 
Necessity, Fort, 167 
Neutrality Proclamation, The, 242 
Newfoundland, 40, 70, 139 
New Hampshire, 128 
New Haven Colony, The, 126 
New Jersey, 114, 204 
New Mexico, 359 

New Netherland, 103-106, 108-111, 132, 
136 

Newport, Captain Christopher, 84, 85, 

87 

New Orleans, 261, 262, 306 
New Sweden, 109, 116, 147 
New York, 199 

New York City, 181, 199, 202, 203, 204 
Niagara, Treaty of, 177 
Nicolet, Jean, 74, 76 
Non-Intercourse Act, The, 252 
North Pole, The Discovery of, 358 
Northwest Territory, The, 234, 235 
Nullification, 273, 274, 288 


XXV111 


INDEX 


Oglethorpe, Governor, 152-154 
Ohio, 248 

Ohio Land Company, The, 164, 165 
Oklahoma, 347 
Old Ironsides, 257 
Opechancanough, 96 
Orange, Fort, 55, hi 
O rdinance of 1787, The, 234 
Oregon, 294, 347 

Oregon County, The, 249, 250, 280, 281 

Pacific Ocean, The Discovery of, 22 
Pacific Railroad, The, 339, 340 
Pakenham, General, 262 
Palma, Tomas E., 354 
Panama Canal, The, 354, 355 
Panics, Financial, 276, 348 
Paris, Treaty of (1763), 175, (178 3) 
224, 

Parker, Sir Peter, 199 
Parliament, The English, 182, 183, 185, 
200 

Parties, Political, 241, 275 
Patents, 268 
Patroons, The, 105, 106 
Peacock, The, 258 

Peary, Commander, The Discoverer of 
the North Pole, 358 
Pemberton, Gen. John C., 316, 318 
Penn, Admiral, 144 
Penn, William, 114, 144-147 
Pennsylvania, 145, 146 
Pensacola, 264 
People’s Party, The, 347 
Pequot Indians, The, 129, 130 
Pequot War, The, 129, 130 
Perry, Oliver Hazard, 258, 291 
Peru, 30, 31 

Petersburg, 320, 322, 326 
Philadelphia, 145-147, 187, 193, 205, 207- 
209, 211, 212 
Philadelphia, The, 248 
Philippine Islands, The, 175, 352, 353 
Pickens, Gen. Andrew, 220 
Pierce, Franklin, 267 
Pilgrims, The, 119-122 
Pinckney, Charles C., 246 
Pitcairn, Major, 196 
Pitt, Fort, 174-177 
Pitt, William, 173-174 
Pittsburgh, 174 
Pittsburg Landing, 304 


Pizarro, Francis, 30-31, 35 
Platte Territory, The, 290 
Plymouth, 119, 121, 122 
Plymouth Company, The, 84 
Pocahontas, 86, 89, 90 
Pocanokets, The, 132 
Polk, James K., 279 
Pontiac’s War, 176, 177 
Popham, Sir George, 116 
Pope, General, 309, 320 
Population of the United States, 357 
Port Hudson, 307, 316 
Porto Rico, 12, 20, 352 
Port Royal, 50 
Portsmouth, N. H., 355 
Portsmouth, Va., 304 
Portuguese Navigation, Earljq 2, 3 
Powhatan, 85, 86, 89, 90, 96 
Preble, Commodore Edward, 248, 255 
Prescott, Colonel, 195 
Presidential Election of 1912, The, 363 
Prince Henry, The Navigator, 2 
Princeton, Battle of, 207 
Privateers, 188 
Protestants, The, 117 
Providence, R.I., 127 
Proviso, The Wilmot, 284 
Public Lands, 278 
Public Schools, Free, 128, 163 
Pueblo Indians, The, 57, 58 
Puritans, The, 94, 117-119, 122, 124, 125, 
142, 143 

Quakers, The, 114, 143-146, 162 
Quebec, 47, 48, 50, 51, 74, 174 
Quebec, Attack on, 198 
Queen Anne’s War, 82 

Railroads, 272 
Raleigh, Sir Walter, 42-45 
Rebellion, The Whiskey, 242 
Reconstruction, The Period of, 332 
Revere, Paul, 190 
Revolutionary War, The, 190 
Rhode Island, 126, 127, 131, 162 
Richmond, 308-310 
Roanoke Island, 42-44, 84 
Roberval, 47, 48 
Rogers, Major, 176 
Rolfe, John, 89, 90 
Roosevelt, Theodore, 353 , 355 , 363 
Rosecrans, Gen. W. S., 317 


INDEX 


XXIX 


Roundheads, The, 94 
Russia, 267, 355 
Russian America, 338, 354 

St. Augustine, 49, 69, 90 
St. Lawrence Region, The, 70, 73 
St. Leger, Colonel, 211, 212 
Salamanca, 6 
Salem, 122, 124 

Salem Witchcraft, The,. 136, 137 

San Salvador, 10 

Santa Fe, 69, 90 

Santiago, 351 

Saratoga, 213 

Savannah, 153, 219, 221, 324, 325 
Savannah, The, 360 
Saybrook, 126, 129 
“ Scalawags,” The, 334 
Schuyler, Gen. Philip, 211, 212 
Scott, Gen. Winfield, 255, 283, 300 
Seamen, Impressment* of, 244, 251 
Sedition Act, The, 245 
Secession, 286, 294 
Separatists, The, 118 
Sera pis, The, 219 
“Seven Days’ Battle,” The, 309 
Seymour, Horatio, 338 
Shannon, The, 258 
Shay’s Rebellion, 231 
Shenandoah Valley, The, 321 
Sheridan, Gen. Philip IT, 322, 324 
Sherman, James S., Vice-President, 355- 
363, 364 

Sherman, Gen. W. T., 319, 324, 325, 
326 

Shiloh, The Battle of, 303 
Six Nations, The, 171 
Slave Ships, 128 

Slavery, 92, 128, 150, 154, 158, 159, 230, 
235, 236, 265, 275, 281, 283, 286 
Sloughter, Governor William, 112 
Smith, Captain John, 84-88, 116 
Sons of Liberty, The, 184 
Soto, Fernando de, 35, 36, 49 
Spain, Treaty with, 244 
Spanish Claims to Lands, 69, 70 
Specie Payment, Resumption of, 342 
Spoils System, The, 275 
Spottsylvania, 320 
Stack, Gen. John, 198, 211 
Stamp Act, The, 183 
Standish, Captain Myles, 121 


Stanwix, Fort. 212 
“Star-Spangled Banner,” The, 260 
“Starving Time,” The, 88 
States Rights, 275, 294 
Steam, Use of, 287-359 
Steuben, Baron von, 214 
Stuyvesant, Peter, 107-109, in 
Sumter, Fort, 296-298, 326 
Sumter, Gen. Thomas, 220 

Taft, William H., 355, 356, 363 
Tariff, The, 239, 263, 267, 268, 346, 348, 
350 , 358 

Tarleton, General, 221 
Taxation, 183 

Taylor, Gen. Zachary, 283, 284, 286 
Tea Tax, The, 185 
Telegraph, The, 278 
Telephone, The, 361 
Tennessee, 241, 335 
Tenure of Office Act, The, 336 
Texas, 276, 277, 279, 290 
The Seven Years’ War in Europe, 172 
Thomas, Gen. George H., 317, 318, 324 
Ticonderoga, 171, 173, 174, 197 
Tilden, Samuel J., 343 
Timby, Theodore R., 305 
Toleration Act, The, 142 
Tories, The, 186, 199 
Trade Routes, Early, 1 
Treaty, with France, 215; of Paris, 175, 
224; with Spain, 244, 352; of Ghent, 
224; with Mexico, 284 
Trenton, Battle of, 205 
Tripoli, 248 
Tunis, 248 
Turks, The, 1, 2 
Tuscaroras, The, 171 
Tyler, John, 277, 334 

Utah, 347, 350 

Valley Forge, 214 

Van Buren, Martin, 276 

Van Twiller, Wouter, 104 

Venezuela, 349 

Vera Cruz, 24, 41 

Vermont, 241 

Verrazano, John, 46, 70 

Vespucius, Americus, 18-20, 35, 70 

Vicksburg, 304, 316 

Vincennes, Fort, 216 


XXX 


INDEX 


Virginia, 43 

Virginia, Secession of, 300, 301 
Virginia, The, 305, 306 

Walloons, The, 104 
Wampanoags, The, 132 
War of 1812, The, 254 
War, The Spanish, 350 
War Debt, Paying the, 343 
Warren, General, 196 
Washington, City of, 239, 259, 260 
Washington, Fort, 204 
Washington, George, 164-168, 174, 185, 
196, 198, 199, 202, 204, 225, 236, 244, 
254 

Washington, State of, 347 
Wasp, The, 257 
Webster, Daniel, 287, 288, 289 
West Point, 204, 217 
West Virginia, 300 
Wethersfield, 126 
Whigs, The, 186 
White, John, 144 


White Plains, 204, 216 
Whitney, Eli, 242 

“Wilderness,” The Battles of, 319, 320 

Wilson, Woodrow, 264 

Windsor, Conn., 126 

Winslow, Governor Edward, 135 

William III, 82, 112, 137, 143 

William Henry, Fort, 171, 173 

Williams, Roger, 126, 127 

Wilmington, N.C., 221, 325 

Winchester, 324 

Winthrop, John, 124 

Wisconsin, 280 

Wolfe, General, 173, 174 

Woman Suffrage, 347 

Writs of Assistance, 181 

Wyoming, 347 

Yeardley, Sir George, 90, 92 
Yorktown, 221, 222 
Yukon Region, The, 354 

Zenger, John Peter, 113 
Zunis, The, 33, 58 



fiD»23f 


INDEX TO CHAPTERS XVIII-XXI 


Alaskan Seal Fisheries, The, 388 
Amendment to the Constitution, The 
Eighteenth, 396 

Amendment to the Constitution, The 
Proposed Nineteenth, 396 
Americanization, The Development of, 
422 

American Legion, The, 421 
Argonne Forest, The, 416 
Armistice, The, 418 
Austria, 399 

Balkan Peninsula, The, 399 
Ballot Reform Laws, 393 
Belgium, Invasion of, 401 
Bolsheviki, 423 
Bonds, Liberty, 411 

Camps, Military Training, 410 
Cardinal Mercier, 423 
Chateau-Thierry, 414 
Chile, 389 

Civil War, The Conditions after the, 384 
Commerce Commission, The Interstate, 
392 

Conference, The, at Paris (1919), 418 

Direct Primaries, 393 
Draft, The Selective, 411 

Education, 384 
Electricity, 378 
Expansion, Territorial, 375 
Expositions, 386-388 

Food Problem, The, during the World 
War, 410 

Foreign Countries, Commerce with, 383 
Fourteen Points, President Wilson’s, 417 

Germany, World Control by, 397 


Hindenburg Line, The, 416 
Homestead Law, The, 376 

Initiative, The, 393 
Italy, 389, 403 

Japan, 403 

Jetties, The Eads, 386 

King Albert of Belgium, 423 

Living, The High Cost of, 420 

Marne, First Battle of, 401; Second 
Battle of, 414 
Middle-Europe Plan, 399 
Modoc Indians, The, 377 
Municipal Government, 393 

Navies, The German and British, 403 
Notes, A Diplomatic Exchange of, 417 

Panic of 1873, The Financial, 381 
Peace Tribunal, The Hague, 388 
Pershing, General John J., 412 
Porto Rico, 390 
Prince of Wales, 423 
Purchase of Virgin Islands, 424 

Railroads, The, 380; Government Con¬ 
trol of, 409 
Recall, The, 394 
Referendum, The, 393 
Reform Laws, Ballot, 393 
Resources, The, of the United States, 383 
Revolution, The Hawaiian, 389 
Russia, Revolution in, 407 
Russian Army, The, 402 

St. Mihiel, 415 
Serbia, 403 


XXXI 



XXX11 


INDEX 


Sioux Indians, The, 377 
South, The New, 385 
Steel, Manufacture and Use of, 381 
Strikes, Railroad, 395; The Boston 
Police, 421 

Succession Act, The Presidential, 392 

Theodore Roosevelt, The Death of, 421 
Trusts, 394 


Turkey, 403 

War, Declaration of State of, April 6, 
1917, 407 

Warfare, The Methods of, on Land, 404; 

Submarine, 405; Trench, 408 
Western Movement, The, 376 
Women in the World War, 412 
World War, The Cost of, 419 





1 



bisma 


pierr 


Yenne 


LINCOLN® 


Denver 


OKLAHOMA 1 


°N A 

^OENlx 


KLAHOMA CITY 


Austin ® 

San Antonio • 


CIFIC 


wake I. 
o :ean 


Galveatoi 


PHILIPPINE 

ISLANDS 


Jn y r\ OCS ^„ 1 

__^ j(7b United States 

IS3 Apia i r>„ 20 

-I -g^ 0 —- 

UPOLU I af> 'oMANUA 
TUTU I LA .-O! 

L IS, I ROSE 


Llngayel 

CHINA 


SCALE OF M'LtS 


Ifo arctic OCE 

/VOW/. I 


'ARCTIC 


NEGROS* 


MINDANAi 

ISLAND 


N Wak i. 

$KI-NG sea 
Pi'lof is. 


queen \?har LO tt ^ 

ALASKA * 

SCALE OF MIlCS 


itlangan 


NIIHAU O 

HC 

,{ 'r~j KAUAI F. 

^ /-sQAHU 

NOLULlP^ 

lanaPc^G 

iCIFIC 1 

)KAI \ 

MAUI ' 

r ^OCEAN 

1 90 

20 

HAD 

HAWAII 

AIIAN IS. lf 

57 ' 


GU; 

l®« <C 

° ^ / A 

ih 

Ls 

T«,vy 

j vy 

iUAM t," 

V.S.) ° 

15 


SNA 

MIND 3Ro\l. ) 

|V!f 


SUL U SEA 


r* 


BORNEO 


PAN All 
o Ilo. 






























































































































■Wheel!' 


>IANA 


yCOUJWBU^/ vr ^ t 5 ' 
-Cincinnati r T1B r,JS i* 

—vVms) GH AB h 

prankfORT 'HI fj-;/ 


INDIAMAPO' 


PR1NQFIE 
H CITY 
StLouia 


,hv*gli 


^VVlminS^®- 


JrtBIA 


Charleston 


ITGOME'BY 


<?' ^Savannah 


laeksonvill* 


MAP OFTHE 

UNITED STATES 

AND ITS POSSESSIONS 


Seale of Miles 


"T 7 . V / IKrrfft • -■ 


-.Hi 




f u pt 


Giso^il 

l MiliT-.ut 


: J — C —- 

,7l C OF CANCER 


0 llX) £00 300 400 500 

NOTE: The maps of Hawaii, Samoa, Guam and 
Wako Is. aanCB scale as map of Philippine Islands. 


^ r 


0.4.nrSM A A0# WCM , imtoa 


LangUudo West 8& from Greenwich 


_ 
























































* 1 ° N 0 * <J> 




& -V 1) 

* ^ cr 

1 W T, - * < O, 

* * MWWr' ' ' V's * ' <P >i> 

0_ *> • r\ ^ ±wyJ/<*> * fck * 

^ *0*0° . Cj ^ . » <2.^ O j, 

.v 0 „ <Ja * A ^ cC> O ! *\ * A> O * 

^ .*&&* \ ** 9 *;4,'i'- ^ \ ' 

* .^»*- to «fr .^V/fc.«, tj. > /?$§&*. t#, , 

V ° * A^’ v ^> "• - ** - «■ * 

s£“". o V* x > *>*. 



■*■„ -.-^v v ^ '.SW&s J>*\, V 
» %- °“ <U •^rrf* ,o* t» ^ 

♦ O * v , o N ® _ <£ V* , . . <^> .\,' 

* O ,2*^ • .<'■''£ <*0 t • ♦ O .»& , o * a 

X v ctA\\W«. V G O J* , l r%< 

<P» ^ *» (\l//y / yz> ■* ... x ’ a a?nS\M iW 

aO */■• > * X o * 

> v- ^ * <^Nfv xs *> 



* *b it' 


, 0 ' 





r %. " • 

t :Wm° ^ :Mgk\ %/ V«*< 

' * » 5 -6 O 'o . * * A . % - c x 

C % ^ .0^ • 1 ' * * "^o O * a ^ ' * * * A^ 

'. ^ . C ° .<1* xifJStvI'. V ,o v l -^*. 

^ 'j^r^- " '- R a * 



^ .VJI&W.* ,t v *V -.Si^- ^to .V^ 

' -}t .«'•. to ‘ ‘ p^t t , tju ° • * “ V'- 

i«?V ts K tt-n.< -y ■$ '* 




>: ip -x : 



1 ■ f u t?. *• 
x* 3 t> . 

> 4 .'.&A,'. tj. ^ t 




o ^ 

,V s .. % A 0 ' 

v ■•*—'*. V t> 

“ '-o ct ^ cCCv^^/h.* v. \' 

. ■?««• ti ^ 

<L~ iP ° W$(AW “ X * 

^ ..^TA V “.^w* ^ to . 

* O S . (J v5 ■'- a A «* 




A u 'o . * - 

0- , • ‘ . t> 


^ ^ V/ 

O' •>'. V ^ 

» *^> ^ *■ 

<■ ^ 0 

• 4 0 * 

v -a> xs 

> ... °^ *... 
o, ''Jm*:- % -i.° 





.4v k «..» . *' ’ , 

. 4 * ,-^t.c° •- 1 ' 

o 


v 




.“ .^ts. 


■" . ’* ^ c\ . 

< 1 o,™ O ^ ~ o 

.V s ,„ ^ 

V o a < 


^ * 



K 

A A 



* 'J' , ^ * 

o 

4 O. 

V ' ■*<* * 

— ^ O % _ 

V " ^ <y %. * ° - ° 0 a° 

> V » S .W'* cv .<v .*•<> 


<0 7*. - * <o A 

v" <^-*, o. <^y/mAS ■» c. «<* «« 

o ^ «> O - 

0 V *i*°- %> V o 



ri» • _ _ 

O *o . * * A 

« 1 ‘ • + o < & 0 0 M ° + *<£>. 

^a^/rTyhi-, + O S** 

▼ iwSiri / «. AAW V-'h 4i* *V 



<. “' 7 * 5 !’,' o v "o, a 

y .-'. V Y^ 

C * ae/ 72 s^> '' ° 

- *> 4 ? ' 



4 o 

v A?? ><N 

* N. v ^ * 

* *»•'> A° *' 

* «\ .9 . * * 


V ^x + 

* C,^ 

I d* V * 


* aV-* - 

* <y ^ 



° v> ° -u 

V' <> ^T 7 i*\o^ <y v ' 7 V«* o’ 

<* ^ U . e ^nOOrL "• O JD' « _£-sS>r\ . *• r 

^ O' • fyejntmfi l o Y o. aX 

C«K“““« ^°*V ^’IKv A°*%, ?’ 0 - 

OCT 7 9 o ‘3 f o° ^ *.,,*' ^ °o 
*•_"'♦ <A , 0 ' . * * °- *> V .♦i^L'-. O 

■• \/ .^; / 



* *P> A K , 

* ^ o' • i 

* 4 0. * il 

"L y *<* <n < 


ST. AUGUSTINE 



* aV^> -* 



• = 


* aS VV- O 1 




































